Story perspectives

Poland Detains Georgian-Passport Suspect in Russian Artist Murder

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Polish authorities detained a suspect in the killing of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky who was found shot dead in Biala Podlaska.
Police say the suspect used a Georgian passport, leading officials to consider possible foreign-intelligence involvement.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the killing a political murder and said investigators are searching for the mastermind.
Two Belarusian citizens were arrested near the Belarusian consulate and have not been charged.

History

Historical Context

In November 2006 former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who had fled to London and advised British intelligence, fell ill and died on 23 November from polonium-210 poisoning. The UK identified former agents Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun as suspects, and a 2016 public inquiry concluded the murder was probably ordered by the Russian state under President Vladimir Putin, straining Anglo-Russian relations.

1 of 2

Story summary

Polish authorities detained a suspect in the killing of Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky who was found shot dead in Biala Podlaska.
Police say the suspect used a Georgian passport, leading officials to consider possible foreign-intelligence involvement.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the killing a political murder and said investigators are searching for the mastermind.
Two Belarusian citizens were arrested near the Belarusian consulate and have not been charged.

1 / 2