Two suspects have been detained in Poland in connection with the brutal attack on Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov in Lithuania last month. Volkov, a close ally of the late activist Alexei Navalny, was attacked outside his home in Vilnius, where he currently lives in exile.
The assailant smashed one of Volkov’s car windows, sprayed tear gas into his eyes, and struck him with a hammer, causing him to suffer a broken arm and requiring hospitalization. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced the arrests and expressed gratitude to Poland for their cooperation in the investigation.
Volkov, who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “henchmen” of being behind the attack, praised the Lithuanian police for their diligent work in solving the case. He expressed relief that the suspects had been apprehended and eagerly awaited further details on the arrest.
The attack on Volkov occurred shortly after Navalny’s mysterious death in a Russian penal colony, where he was serving a politically motivated prison sentence. Navalny’s passing sparked widespread condemnation and accusations against the Kremlin, with opposition figures and Western leaders holding Putin responsible.
Volkov, who previously led Navalny’s regional offices and election campaigns, has been a prominent figure in the Russian opposition movement. He left Russia years ago due to pressure from the authorities and continues to advocate for political change from abroad. The arrests in Poland mark a significant development in the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in Russia.