Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland

"An investigation is being conducted... into the murder of a 44-year-old citizen of the Russian Federation... known in the media as Semyon Skrepetsky," a spokesman for the prosecutor's office in Lublin, Marcin Kozak, told journalists.

Two Belarusian nationals have been arrested in connection with the killing, he added.

They were detained in the vicinity of the Belarusian consulate in Biala Podlaska in eastern Poland, where the killing took place.

According to Polish officials, Skrepetsky -- whose real name is Robert Kuzovkov -- was shot three times on Monday morning by an unidentified gunman armed with a handgun.

When the artist fell to the ground, he was approached by the assailant, who fired two more shots at close range.

As it stands, "no charges have been brought" against the two detained Belarusians, Kozak said, adding that "they remain at the disposal of the prosector's office and the police".

Skrepetsky was known for his sometimes provocative caricatures, which targeted prominent Russian political figures -- ranging from Putin and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to opposition figure Alexei Navalny and Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov.

One of his best-known works reinterprets a classical Orthodox icon, depicting Stalin cradling Putin in place of the Mother of God holding the infant Jesus.

Skrepetsky moved to Poland in 2021, saying he feared political persecution in Russia.

In exile, he maintained a contrarian stance, attending Russian opposition events while openly criticising the opposition itself.