Polish Premier: Murder of Russian Artist Had Political Motivation
Premier Donald Tusk has stated that the murder in Poland of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetski, known for his political cartoons, was most likely politically motivated.
Polish Premier: Murder of Russian Artist Had Political Motivation
On Wednesday, Premier Donald Tusk announced that the murder of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetski, who became famous for drawing political cartoons, was most likely politically motivated. The murder took place in Poland, where the artist had been living since 2021.
"All signs point to this being a political murder," said Tusk. "If the contract came from Russia, then this is also a very serious matter with an international dimension."
On Monday morning, an unidentified man armed with a pistol shot Skrepetski three times. When the artist fell to the ground, the attacker fired two more shots at him from close range.
The Polish government stated that it had previously offered Skrepetski protection, which the artist refused.
Two Belarusian citizens were detained in connection with the artist's death, but they were later released. The investigation into the murder is continuing.
This case may further heighten tensions between Poland and Russia.
Semyon Skrepetski, whose real name is Robert Kuzovkov, was born in 1981. Until 2021 he lived in the Altai region, after which he emigrated to Poland due to political persecution.
The artist created cartoons depicting the dictators of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and his son Adam, the Patriarch of Moscow of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill, Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, and other well-known figures in Russia.
Navalny, whom Skrepetski depicted in at least three cartoons, the artist called "the most successful Kremlin project that destroyed the Russian opposition".
Skrepetski also criticised Ukrainian authorities and appeared in the Ukrainian online database "Myrotvorets". This database collects information on persons whom its creators consider to be a threat to state security, territorial integrity, or Ukraine's sovereignty.
One of the artist's most recent actions took place on 12 June, on the day of the Russian state holiday. On that day he travelled to Berlin, where he organised a picket with a cartoon depicting Stalin and Putin in the style of an icon.
Source: pmo.ee
Source: Apollo