The Masovian branch of the PZ PK is conducting a multi-threaded investigation into, among other things, attacks on Russian oppositionists associated with the anti-corruption foundation founded by Alexei Navalny. There are 8 suspects in the investigation. Last week, charges were brought against a Russian citizen suspected of leading the beating of Leonid W. on March 12, 2024 in Vilnius.

Suspect Anatoly B.

On September 13, 2024, Russian citizen Anatoly B. was detained in Poland.

A prosecutor from the Masovian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw brought three charges against him, including the charge of leading the beating of Russian oppositionist Leonid W. because of his political nationality and political activities (Article 18 § 1 of the Penal Code in conjunction with Article 119 § 1 of the Penal Code). At the request of the prosecutor, the District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw imposed a 3-month temporary arrest on the suspect. "Directorial perpetration" involves directing the execution of a crime by another person.

Leonid Wolkov was beaten on March 12, 2024 in Vilnius. According to the findings, violence was used to intimidate the injured party because of his political activities.

Investigation

In connection with the above-mentioned incident, two Poles were detained in Warsaw on April 3 this year: Igor C. and Maksymilian K. After initiating the investigation, the prosecutor charged the detainees with using violence against Leonid W. because of his nationality and political activities (an act under Article 119 § 1 of the Penal Code in connection with Article 157 § 1 of the Penal Code in connection with Article 11 § 2 of the Penal Code). The court imposed temporary arrest on the suspects.

In the following months, more people were detained. There are currently eight suspects in the investigation, of which 4 are under preventive detention. Among the suspects are 6 Poles, one Belarusian and one Russian (Anatoly B.).

The investigation is multi-threaded and concerns, among others, attacks on Russian oppositionists associated with the Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by Alexei Navalny. The proceedings cover events that took place both in Europe (including Vilnius) and in South and North America.

The investigation is conducted jointly with the Internal Security Agency.

prosecutor Przemysław Nowak
Press Spokesperson
of the National Prosecutor's Office