Russian citizen Anatoly Blinov was arrested in Poland for allegedly organizing an attack on Navalny associate Leonid Volkov.

Anatoly Blinov

In a significant development, Russian citizen Anatoly Blinov was arrested in Poland for allegedly orchestrating a violent attack on Leonid Volkov, an associate of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Authorities revealed that Blinov navigated through Europe using a forged Latvian passport registered to Sergejs Šturba, a non-citizen residing in Liepāja, Latvia.

Recent investigations by Latvian Television’s De Facto have unveiled that the attack, which was initially thought to be orchestrated by Russian intelligence services, may instead be tied to Leonid Nevzlin, a billionaire and close ally of another opposition figure, Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), established by Navalny, discovered alarming correspondence detailing plans for attacks, defamation efforts, and potential bribery of officials, with a notable focus on Latvia.

The fraudulent passport, issued in 2017, passed all security checks, allowing Blinov to board flights from Madrid to Warsaw without raising any red flags.

While the passport bore legitimate details, the photo was replaced with Blinov’s.

Sergejs Šturba, the rightful passport holder, has a criminal history involving theft.

In a recent interview, he asserted that his passport was frequently stolen, ultimately leading to its exploitation by Blinov.

He expressed his negligence in safeguarding his documents, denying any involvement in selling the passport for profit.

The Latvian Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the State Police will investigate the forgery claims and coordinate with Polish authorities while Blinov remains in custody.

This case highlights the intricate web of international crime, political machinations, and the ongoing challenges those opposing the Kremlin face.

The implications of Blinov’s arrest could extend beyond individual accountability, potentially shedding light on broader organized efforts against dissenters in the region.