Polish law enforcement authorities have detained two Belarusian citizens as part of the investigation into the killing of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky in Biała Podlaska yesterday. This was announced by Marcin Kozak, a spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Biała Podlaska. According to him, investigators are examining their possible involvement in the incident. No charges have been filed against anyone so far. The search for the suspect is ongoing.
Police in Biała Podlaska have also appealed to motorists who were driving near the crime scene and had dashboard cameras to provide video recordings.
The killing occurred yesterday between approximately 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. An unidentified man approached Skrepetsky and fired three shots from behind. After the victim fell to the ground, the attacker fired two more shots. Five gunshot wounds were found on the victim’s upper chest and head.
Shell casings and one 9 mm bullet were recovered at the crime scene.
“During a large-scale police operation, two citizens of the Republic of Belarus were detained. The detention took place near the Belarusian consulate in Biała Podlaska. The involvement of these two men and their connection to this incident are the subject of an intensive investigation. At this stage, no one has been charged in this case. Intensive investigative activities are continuing,” Kozak said.
“To date, neither of them has been charged. Their involvement in this case remains the subject of intensive and ongoing verification,” the prosecutor’s office spokesperson stressed.
According to Kozak, the detainees are between 30 and 40 years old.
“At this point, we will not go into such details. As I already mentioned, they were two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, if I remember correctly, although I may be mistaken,” he added in response to a follow-up question.
According to him, investigators are seeking to establish the route taken by the detainees.
“Therefore, we are asking for any available video recordings that would allow us to accurately reconstruct their route to and from work. Of course, we already have some evidence that enabled us to detain two citizens of the Republic of Belarus who, according to our information, may be or may have been involved in this case,” he added.
Further detentions are not being ruled out.
The case will be transferred to the National Prosecutor’s Office branch in Lublin.
Update 1:50 p.m.
The District Prosecutor’s Office has published a press release providing updated details. The killing took place on Queen Jadwiga Street between 9:45 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. An unidentified individual fired two shots at the victim and then, after he fell to the ground, fired three more shots. Five shell casings and one 9 mm LUGER GEC pistol bullet were recovered at the crime scene. The detained Belarusian citizens are aged 33 and 37. Their role in the incident is under investigation.
