Polish Premier: Murder of Russian Artist is Political Assassination
Semion Skripetski, known for his caricatures of politicians, was shot dead on Monday in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that all signs point to a politically motivated murder.
Polish Premier: Murder of Russian Artist is Political Assassination
On Monday morning in Poland, an unidentified man shot Russian artist Semion Skripetski three times. When the artist fell to the ground, the attacker fired two more shots at close range. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Wednesday that the incident was most likely politically motivated.
"All signs point to this being a political murder," Tusk emphasised. "If it was ordered by Russia, then this is also a very serious matter with an international dimension."
Skripetski, whose real name is Robert Kuzowkov, was born in 1981 and lived in the Altai region of Russia until 2021. He emigrated to Poland due to political persecution. The artist was known for his caricatures depicting the leaders of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Moscow Patriarch Kirill, former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, and other figures.
The Polish government reported that it had offered Skripetski protection, which he refused. In connection with the murder, two Belarusian citizens were initially detained, but were later released. The investigation is ongoing.
The artist was also listed in the Ukrainian online database "Mirotvorets", which collects information on persons considered by its creators to pose a threat to state security, territorial integrity or sovereignty of Ukraine.
Source: tv3.lv
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)