Man arrested in Poland over killing of Putin critic

Polish police have detained a man suspected of taking part in the murder of a Russian artist who was critical of President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday.

The suspect, who was involved in the killing that occurred on Monday, “is using a Georgian passport”, Tusk wrote on X.

“Services are working to establish the mastermind,” he added.

Semyon Skrepetsky, whose real name is Robert Kuzovkov, was shot to death three times by an unidentified assailant armed with a handgun in Biala Podlaska, eastern Poland, officials said.

When the artist fell to the ground, the attacker approached him and fired two additional shots at close range.

Tusk said on Wednesday that the artist’s death was probably a “political murder”.

“If it was commissioned by Russia, then this is also a very serious matter with an international dimension,” he continued.

The Polish government has said it offered Skrepetsky protection in the past, which he declined.

Two Belarusian citizens were detained in connection with the artist’s death but have since been released.

Skrepetsky was known for his sometimes provocative caricatures that targeted prominent Russian political figures, including Putin, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, opposition figure Alexei Navalny and Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov.

One of his best‑known works reinterprets a classical Orthodox icon, depicting Stalin cradling Putin in place of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus.

Skrepetsky moved to Poland in 2021, saying he feared political persecution in Russia.

In exile, he attended Russian opposition events while openly criticising the opposition itself.

Several opponents of the Russian authorities have been victims of attacks abroad, including in Britain, Germany and Lithuania.

Moscow has denied any involvement in these attacks.

AFP

The post Man arrested in Poland over killing of Putin critic appeared first on Vanguard News.