On Friday, July 31, the Warsaw District Court decided to release Russian citizen Anatoly Blinov from custody. He is accused of organizing a series of attacks on Russian oppositionists, including Leonid Volkov. Volkov himself reported this in his Telegram channel.

Reasons for release and new conditions

The court's decision was dictated by procedural norms of Polish legislation. As Volkov clarified, during a preliminary hearing in June, the judge warned that Blinov's detention term was expiring — it had reached two years. According to the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure, a court of first instance does not have the right to extend this term. Only an appellate court could do so, and only in exceptional cases.

Instead of being held in a detention center, Blinov will be under police supervision. The judge detailed the restrictions imposed on the accused: he must regularly appear at the supervisory authority, notify them of any change of residence, and not leave a designated territory. The judge promised that any violation of these conditions would be treated as the very "exceptional case" that would allow him to be returned to custody.

Details of the charges

Earlier, on July 22, the prosecution charged Blinov with committing five crimes. According to the investigation, all acts were committed "based on political hatred at the behest of an established person." The list of incriminated actions included:

  • Organizing an attack on Alexandra Petrachkova, the wife of Russian economist Maxim Mironov, in Buenos Aires.
  • Organizing a failed attack on Leonid Volkov in New York.
  • Organizing an attack on Volkov in Vilnius.
  • Organizing the arson of the "SHIZO" installation in Vilnius.
  • Purchasing fake driver's licenses.

According to the publication "Mediazona," Blinov found an executor for the attack on Volkov in New York for a reward of 50,000 euros, but the plan had to be abandoned due to police surveillance. Later, in early 2024, executors for surveillance on Volkov, Maria Pevchikh, and Ivan Zhdanov in Vilnius were found in Warsaw. For this work, Blinov transferred them 15,000 euros.

Course of the attempted murder in Vilnius

Initially, the plan provided for the kidnapping of Volkov with subsequent transfer to Russian law enforcement agencies. However, the executor refused to kidnap him, fearing responsibility. As a result, Blinov ordered simply to attack the oppositionist.

The attack took place on March 12, 2024, in Vilnius, when Volkov was in a car. Tear gas was sprayed in his face, he received at least 10–15 blows with a hammer to his left leg and one or two blows to his shoulder. The oppositionist suffered contusions on his shin, hand swelling, an eye burn, and a bone fracture.

Investigation and circle of suspects

The attempted murder was investigated by the Polish prosecution and the country's Internal Security Agency. The case involved 11 suspects — citizens of Poland, Belarus, and Russian citizen Blinov, who received residence in Poland in 2023.

The Polish prosecution previously indicated that Blinov acted on the "instigation" of former Yukos top manager Leonid Nevzlin. Nevzlin himself denies his involvement in the attacks. The Anti-Corruption Foundation released an investigation based on Nevzlin's correspondence with Blinov, which, according to Alexei Navalny's allies, was provided by Andrey Matus.

During the hearing in Warsaw, Anatoly Blinov gave testimony on the merits of the charges. The next court session is scheduled for August 20.