MOSCOW, March 14 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court has upheld refusal to reclassify the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov as a more serious crime, “an attempt on the life of a government or public figure,”  RAPSI reported from the courtroom on Monday.

On December 24, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow dismissed a motion filed by the relatives of Nemtsov against investigators’ refusal to reclassify charges. They have appealed this decision.

The court has also upheld denial to recognize Republican Party of Russia–People's Freedom Party (RPR-Parnas) as an injured party in the case.

Nemtsov was murdered in central Moscow on the night of February 28. In the 1990s, the politician held a number of high-ranking posts in the Russian Government. In the 2000s, he joined the opposition.

Pretrial investigation into the case has been completed. Zaur Dadayev, brothers Anzor and Shadid Gubashev, Temerlan Eskerkhanov and Khamzat Bakhayev have been charged with contract murder and illegal acquisition, carrying and keeping of weapons.

Alleged organizers of the murder still remain under investigation. Ruslan Mukhudinov, a former officer in Chechen Interior Ministry and alleged mastermind of the murder placed on the international wanted list.