Suspects in Volkov Attack May Be Released on Bail

Two suspects in the attack on Leonid Volkov, a former aide to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, may be released on bail in Poland. They were arrested in April following a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuania after the March 12 attack. Polish courts have barred their extradition.

Two men, suspected of attacking Leonid Volkov—an exiled aide to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny—could be released on bail, a Polish court ruled recently. The assault, occurring on March 12 in Vilnius, left Volkov with injuries from hammer blows.

The suspects were apprehended in Poland in April under a European Arrest Warrant from Lithuania. According to their lawyer, Piotr Jaszke, they must each pay a 50,000 zlotys ($12,700) bail within a week for release. If they fail to do so, the bail option will lapse, though they may seek an extension before the deadline on October 16.

In June, a Polish court decided against extraditing the men due to broader legal proceedings being handled by Polish prosecutors. Last month's developments saw the arrest of a Russian citizen in Poland, suspected of orchestrating the assault on Volkov, with a total of eight suspects identified, four of whom remain under temporary arrest.