The Investigative Committee of Russia charged journalist Roman Popkov in absentia with organizing a terrorist attack (Part 4 of Article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the press service of the department, he became one of the defendants in the case of an explosion in a St. Petersburg cafe, which killed propagandist Vladlen Tatarsky (Maxim Fomin).
According to the UK, Popkov is in Ukraine. He was put on the wanted list.
According to the investigation, Popkov corresponded with Daria Trepova, who is considered the perpetrator of the terrorist act, and gave her instructions on preparing the crime. Trepova was detained the day after the explosion and later arrested. Also, a citizen of Ukraine Yuriy Denisov was put on the wanted list in the case.
The fact that Roman Popkov could be involved in Tatarsky's murder was reported by pro-government Telegram channels shortly after the explosion. The journalist himself told The Insider that this is "complete game and hell, it's a lie." According to Popkov, he is familiar with Trepova, but they have not communicated for a long time. The journalist suggested that evidence against him could be beaten out of the girl.
Tatarsky was killed on April 2 during his "creative evening" in a cafe on the Universitetskaya embankment in St. Petersburg. According to investigators, Trepova gave him a figurine stuffed with explosives. As a result of the explosion, the propagandist himself died, more than 30 people were injured.