June 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.

Three days before his killing, Semyon Skrepetsky had protested outside the Russian embassy in Berlin. He held an icon-like caricature of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Soviet leader Josef Stalin.

Polish prosecutors say a 44-year-old Russian artist who has been critical of President Vladimir Putin was shot and killed at close range near his home in eastern Poland.