Assassination of Vladlen Tatarsky

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = Assassination of Vladlen Tatarsky

| location = Universitetskaya Embankment 25, Street Food Bar №1 café, Saint Petersburg, Russia

| date = 2 April 2023

| image = Petersburg blast.webm

| caption = Camera footage from the explosion

| map = {{Location map|European Russia#Russia Saint Petersburg central|relief = 1}}

| target =

| type = Bombing

| weapon = Improvised explosive device

| fatalities = 1

| injuries = 42

| perpetrators = Darya Trepova

| numparts = 1

| motive = Opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (suspected)

| coordinates = {{coord|59|56|12|N|30|17|12|E|type:event_region:RU|display=inline,title}}

}}

On 2 April 2023, a bombing occurred in the Street Food Bar No.1 café on Universitetskaya Embankment in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, real name Maxim Fomin, died as a result of the explosion{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title=Alert: Russian media say a famous military blogger has been killed in an apparent bombing attack at a café in St. Petersburg |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/world/article/alert-russian-media-say-a-famous-military-17874298.php |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=The Middletown Press |language=en-US |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402165102/https://www.middletownpress.com/news/world/article/alert-russian-media-say-a-famous-military-17874298.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Trevelyan |first1=Mark |last2=Light |first2=Felix |last3=Trevelyan |first3=Mark |date=2023-04-02 |title=Russian military blogger killed in St Petersburg bomb blast - agencies |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-military-blogger-killed-explosion-st-petersburg-agencies-2023-04-02/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402164705/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-military-blogger-killed-explosion-st-petersburg-agencies-2023-04-02/ |url-status=live }}Stepanenko, Kateryna and Kagan, Frederick W. (2 April 2023). [https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2-2023 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 2, 2023] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403051230/https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2-2023 |date=3 April 2023 }} Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 3 April 2023. and 42 people were injured, 24 of whom were hospitalized, including six in critical conditions.{{Cite web |last=Новости |first=Р. И. А. |date=2023-04-04 |title=После взрыва в Петербурге за медпомощью обратились 42 человека |trans-title=After the explosion in St. Petersburg, 42 people asked for medical help |url=https://ria.ru/20230404/medpomosch-1863022543.html |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405145623/https://ria.ru/20230404/medpomosch-1863022543.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Минздрав: 42 человека обратились за медпомощью после взрыва в Петербурге - Газета.Ru {{!}} Новости |trans-title=Ministry of Health: 42 people asked for medical help after the explosion in St. Petersburg - Gazeta.Ru {{!}} News |url=https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2023/04/04/20136319.shtml |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Газета.Ru |date=4 April 2023 |language=ru |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405233847/https://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2023/04/04/20136319.shtml |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Денисовна |first=Косолапова Арина |date=2023-04-04 |title=Число пострадавших от взрыва в Санкт-Петербурге увеличилось до 42 |trans-title=The number of victims of the explosion in St. Petersburg increased to 42 |url=https://iz.ru/1493623/2023-04-04/chislo-postradavshikh-ot-vzryva-v-sankt-peterburge-uvelichilos-do-42 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Известия |language=ru |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405235349/https://iz.ru/1493623/2023-04-04/chislo-postradavshikh-ot-vzryva-v-sankt-peterburge-uvelichilos-do-42 |url-status=live }}

Russia accused Ukraine of being behind the attack and labelled it a "terrorist act", while Ukraine blamed the attack on "domestic terrorism". The National Republican Army also claimed responsibility for the attack. Darya Trepova was convicted of the murder in 2024.

Background

In 2022 and 2023, a number of Russian businessmen were found dead under suspicious circumstances.{{cite news |last=Kirby |first=Paul |date=1 September 2022 |title=Ravil Maganov: Russian Lukoil chief dies in 'fall from hospital window' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62750584 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901084707/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62750584 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |access-date=31 December 2022 |website=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=2022-12-01 |title=Two crypto titans found dead |url=https://ktla.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/nationworld/headlines/two-crypto-titans-found-dead/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |agency=KTLA|archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308183955/https://ktla.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/nationworld/headlines/two-crypto-titans-found-dead/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Godfrey |first=Elaine |date=29 December 2022 |title=Sudden Russian Death Syndrome |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/12/russian-tycoon-pavel-antov-dies-putin-ukraine/672601/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230043054/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/12/russian-tycoon-pavel-antov-dies-putin-ukraine/672601/ |archive-date=30 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=The Atlantic }} In addition, Ukraine was accused of being behind attacks against pro-war figures, such as in the killing of Darya Dugina.{{cite web |date=5 October 2022 |title=U.S. Suspects Ukraine in Killing of Pro-Kremlin Ideologue's Daughter – NYT |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/10/06/us-suspects-ukraine-in-killing-of-pro-kremlin-ideologues-daughter-nyt-a78996 |website=The Moscow Times |last=Velikzhanin|first=Anton|access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228184946/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/10/06/us-suspects-ukraine-in-killing-of-pro-kremlin-ideologues-daughter-nyt-a78996 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |last2=Goldman |first2=Adam |last3=Entous |first3=Adam |last4=Schwirtz |first4=Michael |date=5 October 2022 |title=U.S. Believes Ukrainians Were Behind an Assassination in Russia |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/05/us/politics/ukraine-russia-dugina-assassination.html |access-date=5 October 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005171751/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/05/us/politics/ukraine-russia-dugina-assassination.html |url-status=live }}

Vladlen Tatarsky was an influential Russian military blogger with more than 560,000 followers on Telegram.{{Cite web |title=Prominent Russian military blogger killed in cafe blast: Reports |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/2/prominent-russian-military-blogger-killed-in-cafe-blast-reports |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=aljazeera.com |archive-date=2 April 2023|date=April 3, 2023|orig-date=Originally published 2 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402190041/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/2/prominent-russian-military-blogger-killed-in-cafe-blast-reports |url-status=live }} Before his death, he criticized Russia's strategy in the Russian invasion of Ukraine but was also a staunch supporter of the invasion.{{Cite news |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=2023-04-02 |title=Russian pro-war military blogger killed in blast at St Petersburg cafe |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/02/russian-pro-war-military-blogger-killed-blast-st-petersburg-vladlen-tatarsky |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211438/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/02/russian-pro-war-military-blogger-killed-blast-st-petersburg-vladlen-tatarsky |url-status=live }}

The café where the explosion occurred belonged to Yevgeny Prigozhin.{{Cite web |script-title=ru:«Фонтанка»: в кафе Пригожина в Петербурге прогремел взрыв |title="Fontanka": v kafe Prigozhina v Peterburge progremel vzryv |trans-title="Fontanka": an explosion occurred in Prigozhin's cafe in St. Petersburg |url=https://www.mk.ru/incident/2023/04/02/fontanka-v-kafe-prigozhina-v-peterburge-progremel-vzryv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402165533/https://www.mk.ru/incident/2023/04/02/fontanka-v-kafe-prigozhina-v-peterburge-progremel-vzryv.html |archive-date=2023-04-02 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.mk.ru |date=2 April 2023 |language=ru}} The Cyber Z Front discussion club gathered there on weekends.

Explosion

According to several sources, including Russian authorities,{{Cite web |script-title=ru:В Петербурге при взрыве в кафе погиб военкор Владлен Татарский |title=V Peterburge pri vzryve v kafe pogib voyenkor Vladlen Tatarskiy |trans-title=In St. Petersburg, military commander Vladlen Tatarsky died in an explosion in a cafe|url=https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/17429999 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=TACC |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402165522/https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/17429999 |url-status=live }} Vladlen Tatarsky was offered a statuette by a woman, which is thought to have subsequently exploded.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title=Russian blogger killed in St. Petersburg explosion |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/02/russian-blogger-killed-in-an-explosion-at-a-cafe-in-st-petersburg |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=euronews |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402204942/https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/02/russian-blogger-killed-in-an-explosion-at-a-cafe-in-st-petersburg |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Russian military blogger killed in St Petersburg bombing |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-international/russian-military-blogger-killed-st-petersburg-bombing |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Otago Daily Times |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205002/https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-international/russian-military-blogger-killed-st-petersburg-bombing |url-status=live }} The power of the explosives inside of the statuette was reportedly more than 200g of TNT equivalent. The explosion caused the front of the café to collapse. Police were called to the scene at 18:13 local time.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65155075|title=Vladlen Tatarsky: Killing of pro-Kremlin blogger investigated as murder|agency=BBC News|last1=Peter|first1=Laurence|last2=Ivshina|first2=Olga|date=3 April 2023|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403071152/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65155075|url-status=live}}

Victims

According to the Ministry of Health, one person (Tatarsky) died. By the evening of 2 April, the number of wounded rose to 42. Twenty-four wounded were taken to medical institutions in Saint Petersburg from the café. The condition of six wounded people was assessed as serious.{{Cite web |last=Диана |first=Потехина |date=2023-04-02 |script-title=ru:Число пострадавших при взрыве Петербурге возросло до 30 |title=Chislo postradavshikh pri vzryve Peterburge vozroslo do 30 |trans-title=The number of victims of the explosion in St. Petersburg increased to 30|url=https://iz.ru/1492480/2023-04-02/chislo-postradavshikh-pri-vzryve-peterburge-vozroslo-do-30 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Известия |language=ru |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205110/https://iz.ru/1492480/2023-04-02/chislo-postradavshikh-pri-vzryve-peterburge-vozroslo-do-30 |url-status=live }}

Suspects

Russian law enforcement agencies started investigating the incident shortly after it occurred.{{Cite web |script-title=ru:Дарья Трепова задержана по подозрению в убийстве военкора Владлена Татарского |title=Dar'ya Trepova zaderzhana po podozreniyu v ubiystve voyenkora Vladlena Tatarskogo |trans-title=Daria Trepova detained on suspicion of murdering military commissar Vladlen Tatarsky|url=https://www.mk.ru/incident/2023/04/02/darya-trepova-zaderzhana-po-podozreniyu-v-ubiystve-voenkora-vladlena-tatarskogo.html |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.mk.ru |date=2 April 2023 |language=ru |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205110/https://www.mk.ru/incident/2023/04/02/darya-trepova-zaderzhana-po-podozreniyu-v-ubiystve-voenkora-vladlena-tatarskogo.html |url-status=live }}

A resident of Saint Petersburg, Darya Yevgenyevna Trepova (born 16 February 1997),{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5913285 |title=Чем известна Дарья Трепова |trans-title=Why is Daria Trepova famous? |website=Kommersant|date=3 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403120756/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5913285|url-status=live}} was considered as a suspect by the Investigative Committee.{{Cite web |date=2 April 2023 |script-title=ru:Подозреваемая в убийстве военкора Татарского задержана |title=Podozrevayemaya v ubiystve voyenkora Tatarskogo zaderzhana |trans-title=Suspected in the murder of the military commander Tatarsky detained|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/894060 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Interfax.ru |language=ru |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205435/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/894060 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Russian media: St Petersburg woman detained on suspicion of murdering propagandist |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/2/7396132/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |last=Tyshchenko|first=Kateryna|language=en |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403085302/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/2/7396132/ |url-status=live }} Investigators believed that she brought to the café a box with a bust of Tatarsky, in which an explosive device was mounted. She had earlier been detained for 10 days, along with her husband, after attending an anti-war protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 for apparently ignoring police orders to disperse. Russian officials also claimed she was an "active supporter" of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65161900|title=Darya Trepova: What we know about accused in Russian blogger Vladlen Tatarsky's killing|agency=BBC News|last=Greenall|first=Robert|date=3 April 2023|access-date=April 3, 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403192026/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65161900|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-bombing-1.6799370|title=Russia blames Ukraine, Navalny group for bombing that killed pro-Russia blogger|agency=CBC News|date=3 April 2023|access-date=April 3, 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403194549/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-bombing-1.6799370|url-status=live}}

On the next day, in the morning of 3 April, the Investigative Committee announced that she had been detained after being placed on the wanted list earlier that day.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |script-title=ru:СКР сообщил о задержании Дарьи Треповой по подозрению в причастности к взрыву в петербургском кафе |title=SKR soobshchil o zaderzhanii Dar'i Trepovoy po podozreniyu v prichastnosti k vzryvu v peterburgskom kafe |trans-title=TFR announced the arrest of Darya Trepova on suspicion of involvement in the explosion in a St. Petersburg cafe |url=https://www.interfax-russia.ru/main/skr-soobshchil-o-zaderzhanii-dari-trepovoy-po-podozreniyu-v-prichastnosti-k-vzryvu-v-peterburgskom-kafe |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=www.interfax-russia.ru |language=ru |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403190619/https://www.interfax-russia.ru/main/skr-soobshchil-o-zaderzhanii-dari-trepovoy-po-podozreniyu-v-prichastnosti-k-vzryvu-v-peterburgskom-kafe |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |script-title=ru:Объявленную в розыск по делу Татарского девушку задержали |title=Ob"yavlennuyu v rozysk po delu Tatarskogo devushku zaderzhali |trans-title=A girl put on the wanted list in the case of Tatarsky was detained|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/04/2023/642a88d69a7947442dac38e4 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=РБК |date=3 April 2023 |language=ru |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403093202/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/03/04/2023/642a88d69a7947442dac38e4 |url-status=live }} Trepova's husband, Dmitry Rylov, said that she was detained at the apartment of his friend Dmitry Kasintsev, who was also detained, according to The Insider.{{cite Q|Q117409643|url-status=live}} Russian authorities did not confirm a second detention. Rylov, a member of the fringe opposition Libertarian Party of Russia, stated that "she would never kill" and that he believed she was framed.{{Cite web|title=Who is Daria Trepova? The 26-year-old suspect accused of killing Russian war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in cafe bombing|url=https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-daria-trepova-the-26-year-old-suspect-accused-of-killing-russian-war-blogger-vladlen-tatarsky-in-cafe-bombing-12848989|website=Sky News|date=3 April 2023|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404021414/https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-daria-trepova-the-26-year-old-suspect-accused-of-killing-russian-war-blogger-vladlen-tatarsky-in-cafe-bombing-12848989|url-status=live}}

In a video released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Trepova confessed to bringing in the statuette but unconfirmed reports by Russian media stated that she had told investigators that she had been set up and was unaware that the statuette had contained a bomb.{{Cite news |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |last2=Lebedev |first2=Filipp |date=2023-04-03 |title=Russia accuses Ukraine of blowing up war blogger Tatarsky, arrests woman |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-puts-woman-media-name-suspect-war-bloggers-killing-wanted-list-ifax-2023-04-03/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403192057/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-puts-woman-media-name-suspect-war-bloggers-killing-wanted-list-ifax-2023-04-03/ |url-status=live }} In the video, she appeared to agree that she brought the statuette to the café, but didn't answer to the interrogation about the origin of the statuette.{{Citation |title=Russian police release video of Darya Trepova, a suspect in cafe killing of Vladlen Tatarsky |date=2023-04-03 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-04/russia-police-release-video-of-darya-trepova/102183524 |access-date=2023-04-04 |publisher=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404160044/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-04/russia-police-release-video-of-darya-trepova/102183524 |url-status=live }}

Russian officials said that the possibility of Trepova being conned was not ruled out.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=Who was behind the St. Petersburg bombing? |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-kremlin-vladimir-putin-who-was-behind-the-st-petersburg-bombing/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=POLITICO |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407003508/https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-kremlin-vladimir-putin-who-was-behind-the-st-petersburg-bombing/ |url-status=live }}

Russia accused Ukraine of organising the attack; the National Anti-terrorism Committee accused Ukrainian intelligence services and supporters of Alexei Navalny of being behind the attack, echoed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who called it a "terrorist act". Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak blamed the attack on "domestic terrorism" and "an internal political fight", while Navalny's allies rejected the accusation and said it was more likely Russia's own intelligence services were behind the attack.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, paid tribute to Tatarsky in a video after the attack.{{Cite web |last=Cuesta |first=Javier G. |date=2023-04-04 |title=St. Petersburg bombing stirs fear of new attacks within Russia |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-04-04/st-petersburg-bombing-stirs-fear-of-new-attacks-within-russia.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en-us |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404165050/https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-04-04/st-petersburg-bombing-stirs-fear-of-new-attacks-within-russia.html |url-status=live }} He also said that he would not blame the Ukrainian government for the attack, instead saying he believed there was a group of radicals.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/prominent-russian-blogger-assassinated-in-st-petersburg-bombing|title=Prominent Russian blogger assassinated in St. Petersburg bombing|website=pbs.org|date=3 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405003528/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/prominent-russian-blogger-assassinated-in-st-petersburg-bombing|url-status=live}}

On 4 April, the National Republican Army (NRA), which previously claimed to be behind the killing of Darya Dugina in August 2022, claimed responsibility for the attack.{{Cite web |title="Национальная республиканская армия" взяла на себя ответственность за взрыв в Петербурге |trans-title="National Republican Army" claimed responsibility for the explosion in St. Petersburg |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/04/04/natsionalnaya-respublikanskaya-armiya-vzyala-na-sebya-otvetstvennost-za-vzryv-v-peterburge |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Meduza |language=ru |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405121526/https://meduza.io/news/2023/04/04/natsionalnaya-respublikanskaya-armiya-vzyala-na-sebya-otvetstvennost-za-vzryv-v-peterburge |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=National Republican Army takes responsibility for murder of propagandist Tatarsky |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/4/7396451/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193628/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/4/7396451/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2023-04-04 |title=Suspect in killing of Russian war blogger charged with terrorism |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-charges-st-petersburg-bomb-suspect-with-terrorism-2023-04-04/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406013314/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-charges-st-petersburg-bomb-suspect-with-terrorism-2023-04-04/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=1990-01-13 |title='National Republican Army' takes responsibility for explosion that killed Vladlen Tatarsky |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/04/04/national-republican-army-takes-responsibility-for-explosion-that-killed-vladlen-tatarsky-en-news |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Novaya Gazeta Europe |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405003833/https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/04/04/national-republican-army-takes-responsibility-for-explosion-that-killed-vladlen-tatarsky-en-news |url-status=live }} The NRA did not provide any evidence for its claim.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65178006|title=Darya Trepova: Russia cafe bomb suspect charged with terrorism|website=BBC News|date=4 April 2023|access-date=13 April 2023|archive-date=11 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411141346/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65178006|url-status=live}}

Investigation and legal proceedings

The Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case under article 105 of the Criminal Code of Russia which criminalizes acts of murder.{{Cite web |script-title=ru:Главным следственным управлением СК России по Санкт-Петербургу возбуждено уголовное по факту взрыва в одном из кафе города |title=Glavnym sledstvennym upravleniyem SK Rossii po Sankt-Peterburgu vozbuzhdeno ugolovnoye po faktu vzryva v odnom iz kafe goroda |trans-title=The Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for St. Petersburg initiated a criminal case on the fact of an explosion in one of the cafes in the city|url=https://spb.sledcom.ru/news/item/1778246/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=spb.sledcom.ru |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402182109/https://spb.sledcom.ru/news/item/1778246/ |url-status=live }} The next day, the Investigative Committee decided to change the article to article 205, which criminalizes acts of terrorism.{{Cite web |script-title=ru:СК переквалифицировал уголовное дело о взрыве в Санкт-Петербурге на террористический акт |title=SK perekvalifitsiroval ugolovnoye delo o vzryve v Sankt-Peterburge na terroristicheskiy akt |trans-title=The Investigative Committee reclassified the criminal case on the explosion in St. Petersburg as a terrorist act |url=https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/17437831 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=TACC |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403192229/https://tass.ru/proisshestviya/17437831 |url-status=live }}

{{wikinews|Russia charges peace activist in assassination of pro-war blogger in Saint Petersburg}}

On 4 April, Trepova was charged by the Investigative Committee under the criminal code with a "terrorist act committed by an organized group that resulted in the deliberate infliction of death on a person" and the "illegal carrying of explosive devices committed by an organized group".{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/04/europe/st-petersburg-explosion-video-russian-blogger-death-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Suspect charged with terrorism offenses over killing of Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky|website=CNN|date=4 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405024059/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/04/europe/st-petersburg-explosion-video-russian-blogger-death-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}} Terrorism can carry a life sentence in Russia,{{Cite web |title=УК РФ Статья 205. Террористический акт \ КонсультантПлюс |trans-title=Criminal Code of the Russian Federation Article 205. Terrorist act \ ConsultantPlus |url=https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_10699/43942021d9206af7a0c78b6f65ba3665db940264/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=www.consultant.ru |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412120908/https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_10699/43942021d9206af7a0c78b6f65ba3665db940264/ |url-status=live }} though this does not apply to women.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-07 |title=К какому максимальному сроку заключения могут приговорить женщину в России |trans-title=What is the maximum prison term a woman can be sentenced to in Russia |url=https://russian7.ru/post/k-kakomu-maksimalnomu-sroku-zaklyuche/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Русская семерка |language=ru-RU |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412120906/https://russian7.ru/post/k-kakomu-maksimalnomu-sroku-zaklyuche/ |url-status=live }} Consequently, Trepova faces up to 20 years in a penal colony if convicted.{{Cite news |last=ПИРОГОВ |first=Елизар |date=2023-04-03 |title=Что грозит Дарье Треповой за убийство Владлена Татарского и теракт в кафе в Санкт-Петербурге |trans-title=What hangs over Daria Trepova for the murder of Vladlen Tatarsky and the terrorist attack in a cafe in St. Petersburg |url=https://www.spb.kp.ru/daily/27485/4742831/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=spb.kp.ru |language=ru |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412120907/https://www.spb.kp.ru/daily/27485/4742831/ |url-status=live }} She was initially remanded in custody with a release date of 2 June,{{cite web |date=4 April 2023 |title=Арестована Дарья Трепова, обвиняемая по делу о "теракте" в Петербурге |trans-title=Arrested Daria Trepova, accused in the case of the "terrorist attack" in St. Petersburg |url=https://meduza.io/news/2023/04/04/arestovana-darya-trepova-obvinyaemaya-po-delu-o-terakte-v-peterburge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405033007/https://meduza.io/news/2023/04/04/arestovana-darya-trepova-obvinyaemaya-po-delu-o-terakte-v-peterburge |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=Meduza}} but that was subsequently extended to 3 September.{{Cite news |last= |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Moscow Court Extends Pretrial Detention Of Suspect From Cafe Bombing That Killed War Blogger |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tatarsky-bombng-trepova-detention/32438967.html |access-date=2023-06-26 |archive-date=9 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209182714/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tatarsky-bombng-trepova-detention/32438967.html |url-status=live }} Trepova was brought before a court on 15 November,{{cite news |title=Suspect in Pro-War Blogger's Killing Admits Partial Guilt |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/15/suspect-in-pro-war-bloggers-killing-admits-partial-guilt-a83122 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=The Moscow Times |date=15 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131211748/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/15/suspect-in-pro-war-bloggers-killing-admits-partial-guilt-a83122 |url-status=live }} to be charged with carrying out a terrorist attack, illegal trafficking of explosive devices and forging documents.{{cite web |title=Woman goes on trial over bombing that killed Russian blogger |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/11/15/russian-woman-goes-on-trial-over-cafe-bombing-that-killed-prominent-blogger |website=euronews |access-date=24 December 2023 |language=en |date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224214455/https://www.euronews.com/2023/11/15/russian-woman-goes-on-trial-over-cafe-bombing-that-killed-prominent-blogger |url-status=live }}

On 25 January 2024, Trepova was sentenced to 27 years in prison,{{cite news |title=Russian woman jailed for 27 years for handing bomb to war blogger |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-woman-sentenced-27-years-bombing-that-killed-war-blogger-2024-01-25/ |work=Reuters |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127013634/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-woman-sentenced-27-years-bombing-that-killed-war-blogger-2024-01-25/ |url-status=live }} one of the longest prison sentences ever given to a woman in modern Russian history.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/russia-jails-ultra-nationalist-putin-critic-igor-girkin-and-darya-trepova-bomb-attack |title=Russia jails ultra-nationalist Putin critic and woman convicted of bomb attack |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024 |first=Pjotr |last=Sauer |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518114559/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/russia-jails-ultra-nationalist-putin-critic-igor-girkin-and-darya-trepova-bomb-attack |url-status=live }}

Aftermath

President Vladimir Putin awarded the Order of Courage to Tatarsky posthumously.{{Cite web |script-title=ru:Путин наградил Владлена Татарского орденом Мужества посмертно |title=Putin nagradil Vladlena Tatarskogo ordenom Muzhestva posmertno |trans-title=Putin awarded Vladlen Tatarsky the Order of Courage posthumously |url=https://tass.ru/obschestvo/17439049 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=TACC |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403194413/https://tass.ru/obschestvo/17439049 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Putin awards Vladlen Tatarsky Order of Gallantry posthumously |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/04/03/putin-awards-vladlen-tatarsky-order-of-gallantry-posthumously |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Meduza |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403191227/https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/04/03/putin-awards-vladlen-tatarsky-order-of-gallantry-posthumously |url-status=live }}