Semyon Skrepetsky, a Russian artist known for his criticism of Vladimir Putin, was shot dead Monday morning in eastern Poland. Authorities are investigating the killing as a possible politically motivated attack.
The 44-year-old artist, whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, was approached by a gunman on a pedestrian path in Biała Podlaska shortly before 10 a.m. The attacker fired three shots, then two more after the victim fell, according to prosecutors. Skrepetsky suffered five gunshot wounds to the chest and head.
He had lived in Poland since leaving Russia in 2021 over fears of political persecution. Skrepetsky continued his anti-Kremlin work, including a protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin just days before his death.
Police detained two Belarusian citizens near the Belarusian consulate in the city on Tuesday but have not charged them. Investigators have not ruled out a political motive linked to threats the artist reportedly received.
