Polish authorities are investigating the killing of Russian opposition artist Robert Kuzovkov, who is described by multiple outlets as a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reports say Kuzovkov was shot near his home in eastern Poland, with investigators stating the shooting involved multiple shots fired at close range. ABC News and The Independent cite prosecutors and investigators describing a 44-year-old Kuzovkov being killed, including reports that one shot struck his head.
Police said they detained two people in connection with the incident shortly after the shooting. The Moscow Times reports the two detained individuals are Belarusian citizens, and it adds that charges have not yet been filed. Other coverage characterizes the killing as an apparent targeted attack, but the outlets generally present the case as an ongoing investigation.
While different outlets emphasize Kuzovkov’s role as an anti-Putin cartoonist or dissident and some describe the circumstances as occurring in a car park, the central points across sources are consistent: Kuzovkov is dead following a close-range shooting in eastern Poland, and Polish police are holding two suspects as investigators work to determine motives and responsibility.
