In brief
In Biała Podlaska, a car‑park near the Belarusian consulate became a crime scene when 44‑year‑old Robert Kuzovkov, better known as Semyon Skrepetsky, was shot five times. He was a prominent Russian satirist famous for caricatures that mocked leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko and Ramzan Kadyrov, and his work spread through Telegram and YouTube. Police recovered five shell casings and a single Geco 9mm Luger bullet, and two Belarusian citizens have been detained while an arrest warrant is being prepared. Skrepetsky’s wife and five children have been notified, and a post‑mortem is scheduled for Wednesday.
Poland investigates murder of a Russian artist critical of Putin
The city of Biała Podlaska in eastern Poland has opened an investigation after local authorities found the body of Robert Kuzovkov, better known by his art pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky.
The 44‑year‑old was shot five times in a car‑park near the Belarusian consulate, according to police statements released on Monday. Five shell casings and a single Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered.
Skrepetsky was famous for satirical caricatures that lampooned Russian leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, and he had also mocked opposition figures and ordinary Ukrainians on social media.
Two Belarusian citizens were detained near the consulate as the investigation proceeds. The artist’s wife and five children have been notified, and his post‑mortem is scheduled for Wednesday.
