Prepared by Messenger Staff
Second Georgian Citizen Arrested in Poland Over Murder of Putin Critic
Polish authorities have arrested a second Georgian citizen in connection with the murder of Russian national Robert Kuzovkov, known as Semyon Skrepetsky, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was killed in June in the Polish city of Biala Podlaska.
Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland's minister-coordinator of special services, announced the arrest on social media, saying the 22-year-old suspect was accused of aiding and abetting the murder. A court has ordered his pretrial detention for three months.
"The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are possible," Siemoniak wrote.
Skrepetsky, whose real name was Robert Kuzovkov, moved to Poland in 2021. His killing took place in June and is being investigated by Poland's Internal Security Agency.
On June 18, authorities arrested another Georgian citizen, 36-year-old Elnur A., in connection with the murder. He was also remanded in pretrial detention. In August, Polish media reported that Elnur A. was suspected of links to a separate murder case.
The investigation into Kuzovkov's killing remains ongoing.
Two Georgian Citizens Released After Two Years in Unlawful Detention
Two Georgian citizens detained near the village of Mejvriskhevi in Gori Municipality on September 16, 2024, have been released and returned to territory controlled by the Georgian central government, the State Security Service of Georgia announced on October 22.
According to the agency, the authorities used all available mechanisms to secure their release, including the hotline operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).
The issue of the citizens' release was also regularly raised during the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meetings and the Geneva International Discussions, the SSS said.
The agency added that, with the support of international partners, the Georgian government continues efforts to secure the release of other Georgian citizens held in detention in the occupied territories.
