DistantNews
Support us
Suspect arrested for murder of Russian critic in Poland; political motive suspected
🇵🇱 Poland /Crime & Justice

Suspect arrested for murder of Russian critic in Poland; political motive suspected

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A 36-year-old Georgian national, Elnur A., has been arrested and placed in three months of pre-trial detention for the murder of a Russian national in Biała Podlaska.
  • The victim, identified as Siemion Skriepiecki (real name Robert Kuzowkow), was a Russian artist and critic of Vladimir Putin.
  • Polish authorities suspect the murder may have been politically motivated and commissioned by a foreign entity.

A Georgian national, identified as Elnur A., has been arrested and will remain in pre-trial detention for three months as Polish authorities investigate the murder of a Russian national in Biała Podlaska. The 36-year-old suspect faces charges of killing Siemion Skriepiecki, a Russian artist and caricaturist known for his criticism of Vladimir Putin and other political figures.

The Lublin-Lublin-Zachód Regional Court in Lublin has applied a pre-trial detention measure against the suspect, a 36-year-old man, for a period of three months.

— Lublin PoliceAnnouncing the court's decision on social media.

The victim, whose real name was Robert Kuzowkow, had relocated to Poland in 2021, citing fears of political persecution. He was shot multiple times on June 15 in Biała Podlaska. Polish police apprehended Elnur A. in a hostel near Warsaw. The suspect, who reportedly denies the charges and has refused to provide testimony, was using a Georgian passport.

The prosecution argued for the arrest, citing the risk of the man fleeing, hiding, tampering with evidence, and the severe penalty he faces – up to life imprisonment for murder.

— ProsecutionJustification for the arrest warrant.

Investigators are exploring the possibility that Elnur A. acted alone but are also examining whether he received assistance in planning the attack and escaping. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that the case is being treated with extreme seriousness, suggesting the potential involvement of foreign entities commissioning the murder. This, Tusk noted, would be a first for Poland if confirmed.

Elnur A., a Georgian citizen, was brought to the Organized Crime Division of the National Prosecutor's Office in Lublin on Friday evening. The prosecutor charged him with killing a citizen of the Russian Federation on June 15 in Biała Podlaska.

— National Prosecutor's OfficeDetails of the charges presented to the suspect.

Tomasz Siemoniak, the coordinator of special services, indicated that the investigation would intensely examine any potential foreign involvement in the assassination. The victim's critical stance towards Russian and Belarusian leadership, including Putin, Lukashenko, and Kadyrov, adds a significant political dimension to the ongoing investigation.

Elnur A., questioned as a suspect, denied committing the act he is accused of and refused to provide explanations.

— National Prosecutor's OfficeSuspect's reaction after being charged.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog