Polish authorities allege that Russian businessman Leonid Nevzlin orchestrated multiple assaults against Russian opposition figures abroad, according to a July 12 report in Rzeczpospolita citing prosecutors, as highlighted by "Agency."
Investigators claim attorney Anatoli Blinov coordinated the attacks through Belarusian businessman Viktar Pavelka as an intermediary, allegedly acting on instructions from Nevzlin, the former Yukos vice-president. This aligns with findings presented by Navalny's team in September 2024 from their independent investigation.
Prosecutors cite Pavelka's testimony and purported communications between Blinov and Nevzlin as evidence. However, the newspaper questions the reliability of these messages, noting they were supplied by Andrei Matus - described by the Anti-Corruption Foundation as a fixer with FSB and criminal connections. Polish authorities reportedly lack original digital evidence to verify their authenticity.
A source suggests Matus deliberately shared fabricated message screenshots to turn Navalny's allies against Blinov and Nevzlin. Both Navalny's team and Rzeczpospolita report Blinov maintained regular contact with Nevzlin during attacks on Leonid Volkov in Vilnius, Ivan Zhdanov in Geneva, and economist Maxim Mironov's wife Alexandra Petrachkova in Buenos Aires.
The publication speculates Nevzlin's motive was stopping criticism from Navalny's circle - a theory reportedly supported by prosecutors. Eleven suspects, primarily perpetrators, currently face charges, though Nevzlin isn't among them. Unlike Mikhail Khodorkovsky who testified last autumn, Nevzlin failed to appear for questioning.
"Some suspects have confessed, enabling us to reconstruct subsequent events, communication methods, and cash payments," prosecutors stated.