Poland Arrests Suspect in Murder of Russian Cartoonist

Polish authorities have arrested a person suspected of involvement in the murder of Russian artist Semyon Skrepecki, which occurred on Monday, June 16, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced.

The suspect, who used a Georgian passport, was detained after his identity was established. Tusk stated on social media platform "X" that relevant agencies are working to identify the mastermind behind the murder.

The killing took place in Biała Podlaska, eastern Poland. An unidentified gunman shot Skrepecki three times with a pistol, then fired two more shots at close range after the victim fell.

Tusk suggested on Wednesday that the murder might be political. If ordered by Russia, it would be a very serious matter with international dimensions, the prime minister said.

The Polish government had previously offered protection to Skrepecki, but he declined. Two Belarusian citizens were briefly detained in connection with his death but later released. The investigation continues.

Semyon Skrepecki, real name Robert Kuzovkov, was born in 1981 and lived in Russia's Altai Krai until 2021, when he emigrated to Poland due to political persecution. He was known for cartoons depicting Russian and Belarusian dictators Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and his son, as well as other prominent figures, including Alexei Navalny and Joseph Stalin.

Skrepecki was also critical of Ukrainian authorities and was listed in Ukraine's "Mirotvorets" database, which identifies individuals deemed threats to national security. One of his last actions was on June 12 in Berlin, where he held a protest with a cartoon-like icon depicting Stalin and Putin.