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The man detained this morning is suspected of directly carrying out the murder of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky, Poland’s Minister of Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński said at a press conference.
“I would like to say immediately that, since various reports are appearing suggesting that this may have been the driver, we ask that what we communicate be reported accurately. This is a person suspected of committing this murder. The investigation and procedural actions concerning this individual are underway and will continue,” he said.
Kierwiński recalled that two Belarusian citizens had initially been detained.
“Initially, two Belarusian citizens were detained. These individuals were released. They were present at the scene, but they have no direct connection to this murder,” he continued.
According to him, investigators were later able to identify the suspect based on the evidence collected.
“This person is using — and we ask for precision on this point — a Georgian passport belonging to a 36-year-old individual,” he said.
According to the minister, the suspect was detained this morning in Piastów, near Warsaw, at a hostel. At the same time, authorities carried out checks on the legality of residence of people staying there. This explains why several individuals were escorted out of the hostel.
Kierwiński added that police are examining the suspect’s possible involvement in other crimes, including offenses committed as far back as 2022. As Minister-Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak noted, the suspect has a “criminal portfolio.” The man may be linked to organized crime. Siemoniak recalled that foreign intelligence services have previously used members of the criminal underworld to carry out various assignments.
Investigators are now trying to identify who ordered the killing.
“The hypothesis regarding who may be behind this is quite obvious and stems from the activities of the murdered Russian citizen. He was a critic of Putin and Kadyrov, and this was part of his professional activity, so at this stage no special evidence is needed for such a hypothesis. We want to obtain that evidence. We have the main suspect, and undoubtedly his interrogation, the analysis of his correspondence and the analysis of his connections will provide answers to these questions. At this stage, investigators are pursuing many different hypotheses,” Siemoniak said.
Police are also attempting to identify possible accomplices.
“It is too early to speak about that today because we are gathering evidence, and we understand how important it is to establish all of his connections with people in Poland, because we know that he certainly did not act alone. We are taking the time necessary to verify all this information and provide evidence to the prosecutor’s office,” Poland’s Chief Police Commander Marek Boroń added.
Siemoniak said that the Internal Security Agency and the police had repeatedly warned Skrepetsky that the threats against him were serious, but he had declined protection.
“A tragedy occurred — the murder of a foreign citizen who publicly criticized various foreign figures. The Internal Security Agency and the police repeatedly contacted him, indicating that he was at risk and should be placed under protection. Unfortunately, he did not take advantage of that offer,” he said.