Russian Artist Robert K Shot Dead in Poland Near Belarusian Consulate

Robert K, a Russian artist known by the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, was found fatally shot in Biała Podlaska, Poland, on Monday morning. Polish prosecutors confirmed the 44-year-old was shot five times in the head, chest, and back in a car park approximately 600 metres from the Belarusian consulate. The city is located about 40 kilometres from the Belarusian border.

Marcin Kozak, spokesman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Lublin, stated that an unidentified assailant fired two shots at Mr K, and after he fell, discharged three more before fleeing. Mr K died at the scene. Five shell casings and a Geco 9mm Luger bullet were recovered. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

Police have detained two Belarusian citizens, aged 33 and 37, near the Belarusian consulate. Their connection to the shooting remains under investigation. Mr K, who reportedly moved to Biała Podlaska in 2021, was recognised for his political caricatures, particularly those critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Mr Kozak noted that "The victim engaged in public artistic activities... under which he expressed criticism of the current policies of the Russian Federation authorities." Recent social media footage showed Mr K at a Russia Day protest outside the Russian embassy in Berlin on 12 June, displaying a painting caricaturing Putin and Joseph Stalin.