An ally of the Russian opposition leader who was gunned down in Moscow has branded a theory that he was killed by a devout Muslim because he defended Charlie Hebdo 's cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed as 'absurd ' . It emerged earlier today that police in Russia investigating the death of Boris Nemtsov were looking at theories that he was killed over his support for the French magazine , which published the controversial images . Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov had said that Zaur Dadayev , one of the five suspects detained over the killing of Nemtsov was a 'deep believer ' and was not happy by Mr Nemstov 's supporting the magazine . Scroll down for video . Zaur Dadayev , who has been charged with involvement in the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov inside a defendant 's cage inside a Moscow court building . It has been claimed that Dadayev , pictured , is a devout Muslim , who was angry about the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in the French magazine Charlie Hebdo . The claims were made by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov , pictured . Dadayev is a former member of the police in Chechnya . However , Ilya Yashin , who co-founded the opposition movement Solidarnost has now dimissed the theory , saying it was 'politically motivated ' . He said : 'The official version of the inquiry is more than absurd . In my opinion it is the result of a political order from the Kremlin . He also added how Mr Nemtsov had 'never negatively spoken about Islam ' and had merely criticised the Islamist extremists who gunned down 12 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January . Mr Yashin 's comments come after Chechen leader Mr Kadyrov wrote on his Instagram account : 'All who know Zaur ( Dadayev ) confirm that he is a deep believer and also that he , like all Muslim , was shocked by the activities of Charlie and comments in support of printing the cartoons . ' He also confirmed that Dadayev had also been a member of the police in Chechnya and had been decorated for bravery . Mr Kadyrov is considered by many as one of Russian president Vladimir Putin 's most loyal henchmen in the Caucasus region . He was installed by Putin as leader of Chechnya and has spoke of his support for Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine . Mr Nemtsov , 55 , was shot four times in the back while walking along a bridge in full view of the Kremlin with his model girlfriend Anna Duritskaya , 23 . Three suspects detained over the killing of Mr Nemtsov sit covering their faces in a defendant 's cage at a court in Moscow yesterday . All of the men were escorted from a bus to Basmanny district court , in Moscow , with their hands bound and masked men standing either side . An armed guard escorts one of the five suspects in the killing of Mr Nemstov into a court in Moscow yesterday . He had been a critic of current Russian president Vladimir Putin and considered a liberal . Yesterday , it was alleged Dadayev made a statement confirming his guilt as he and four other men appeared in court over the assassination . All of the men were escorted from a bus to Basmanny district court , in Moscow , with their hands bound in front of them and masked men standing either side . Once inside they continued to be flanked by armed guards and were forced to speak from a defendant 's cage . The court heard that Dadayev , 33 , served for around ten years in the 'Sever ' battalion , which is part of the interior ministry of Chechnya . His sister confirmed that he had won medals for bravery and courage . Judge Mushnikova added : 'Dadayev ’ s involvement in committing this crime is confirmed by , apart from his own confession , the totality of evidence gathered as part of this criminal case . ' Anzor Gubashev , who worked for a private security company in Moscow , was named as another suspect . He denied any involvement . Alexander Bortnikov , the head of Russia 's federal security service , said Dadayev and Gubashev were 'suspected of carrying out the crime ' . It was not clear if either of the men were believed to have fired the shots that killed Mr Nemtsov . Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov , who was killed while walking with his girlfriend in Red Square in full view of the Kremlin . At the time of his death Mr Nemtsov had been working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict . At the time of his death Mr Nemtsov had been working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict . He was also in the midst of organising a march against the war and had written a number of reports in recent years linking Putin and other politicians to alleged corruption . The shooting occurred a few hours after he had made a radio appearance denouncing Putin for 'mad , aggressive ' policies in Ukraine . Surveillance footage apparently showed a man climbing into a white getaway car and being driven away . Russian officials have denied any involvement , with President Putin dubbing the murder a 'provocation ' .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says Zaur Dadayev is a devout Muslim . Dadayev accused in killing of Russian opposition leader NemtsovBoris Nemtsov . Mr Kadyrov says Dadayev was not happy with the Charlie Hebdo cartoons . Mr Boris Nemtsov previously defended the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed . But an ally of Mr Boris Nemtsov has branded the new theory for motive 'absurd ' Ilya Yashin says Boris Nemtsov has never negatively spoke out about Islam . He was killed last week after being shot in the back while walking near the Kremlin .