Polish security services have detained a second suspect in the killing of Russian cartoonist Robert Kuzovkov, known by his pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky. The suspect, a 22-year-old Georgian citizen identified as Mahmud A., is suspected of aiding and abetting murder and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Polish authorities announced the new development on October 22. The arrest was carried out by Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW).
According to Polish media reports, Mahmud A. arrived in Poland from Georgia on October 18. He was detained the following day near the A2 motorway, along with two other Georgian citizens.
On October 21, a court in Lublin ordered Mahmud A. held in pretrial detention for three months. He has denied the allegations.
Semyon Skrepetsky was shot dead on June 15, 2026, in Biała Podlaska, a city in eastern Poland near the Belarusian border. According to investigators, the attacker fired five shots at the artist.
Kuzovkov was 44. He had lived in Poland since 2021 and was known for political cartoons and public protests against the Russian authorities. His work satirized Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov and other political figures.
Police previously detained the first suspect, 36-year-old Georgian citizen Elnur A., on June 18. He was charged with murder and remanded in custody.
Investigators suspect that the newly detained man may have assisted Elnur A. in preparing or carrying out the crime. The precise alleged role of each suspect remains under investigation.
Polish authorities are also examining possible motives for the killing, including whether it was connected to the artist's political activities. However, no evidence has been made public establishing that Russian state agencies ordered the murder.
The investigation is ongoing. The suspects' guilt has not been established by a court.