Russian artist, Putin critic Semyon Skrepetsky killed in Poland
by Lisa Hornung · UPIJune 16 (UPI) -- A Russian artist known for caricatures of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders was shot to death in Poland Tuesday, police said.
Robert Kuzovkov, 44, was publicly known as Semyon Skrepetsky and had been living in Poland since 2021 because he feared political persecution in Russia.
He was shot five times in a parking lot in Biała Podlaska, Poland, about 25 miles from the Belarusian border. The parking lot is about 650 yards from the Belarusian consulate.
Marcin Kozak, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office in Lublin, Poland, said a shooter approached Kuzovkov and fired two shots at him.
"When the victim fell to the ground, the perpetrator approached, fired three more shots and then quickly fled the scene. Robert K died at the scene," he added. He had been shot in the head, chest and back.
Five shell casings and one Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered from the crime scene, Kozak said.
There will be an autopsy Wednesday.
Two Belarusian nationals were arrested in connection with the killing near the Belarusian consulate, but they have not been charged, Kozak said.
Skrepetsky was known for his caricatures targeting prominent Russian political figures, including Putin, the late Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov.
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