Warsaw court releases suspect in attacks on Russian opposition figures

A Warsaw court has ordered the release of Anatoly Blinov, the man accused of organizing attacks on Russian opposition figures, from pre-trial detention. The decision was reported by the Russian-language outlet Vot Tak, whose correspondent was in the courtroom. Instead of remaining in custody, Blinov will now be under police supervision.

His defense team argued for immediate release on the grounds that he had already spent nearly two years in custody, which is the maximum allowed under Polish law. Prosecutors, however, had requested that he remain in detention, expressing concern that he could flee. Blinov responded by presenting a lease agreement for an apartment in Poland to show he intended to stay.

Blinov is charged in connection with five separate incidents: organizing an attack on Leonid Volkov in Vilnius, organizing another attack on the same politician in New York, organizing an attack on Alexandra Petrachkova (wife of economist Maxim Mironov), arson at a Vilnius installation known as “SHIZO,” and intent to use forged documents.

According to prosecutors, all the crimes were committed on the orders of a single individual, whose identity was revealed only during a closed court session. Earlier, Polish media reported that prosecutors had concluded Blinov was “inspired” by Leonid Nevzlin, a former owner of the Yukos oil company.

Blinov was arrested in September 2024. Three months later, a court ordered his release on bail, but prosecutors appealed successfully, and he remained in custody until now.