Ukraine’s investigators narrow down versions concerning death of Belarus activist found hanged in Kyiv
In an interview with Interfax Ukraine, the country’s Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky made mention of a visible progress in investigating into the death of Vital Shyshou, a Belarusian citizen and the head of the Belarusian House in Kyiv.
“I would give the right to announce the results of the prove to the police. I can say that the police have engaged international experts for assessing the findings of the examinations. When takeaways have been received, we will make the available information public,” he said.
According to the top official, the investigators already know what led to the death of Shyshou (i.e. murder or suicide).
On August 2, Vital Shyshou, a Belarusian activist who had left Belarus for Ukraine in fear of being persecuted, went for a run and disappeared. A day later, he was found dead on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital city. The Belarusian national was hanged on a tree in the forest in the vicinity of the village of Chayki near Kyiv.
The local police initiated a criminal case over alleged premeditated homicide; it should be noted, however, that the murder disguised as suicide is just one of the versions. Ukrainian MPs from the inter-factional association ‘For Democratic Belarus’ urged Interior Minister to take the investigation of Shyshou’s death under personal control; they believe that Belarusian special services may be involved in the tragic event.
It should be recalled that on the same day the Belarusian diaspora and their Ukrainian friends staged a memorial event in front of the building of Belarus’ embassy in Kyiv; Vital’s girlfriend Bazhena Zholudz was among the participants. In mid August, a criminal case was opened against Ms Zholudz, who is also Belarusian citizen. According to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, she is charged under Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (‘calling for mass riots’). Notably, the Belarusian authorities have never reported the launch of a criminal case over the death of Vital Shyshou.
On the back of the situation, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked the country’s Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs with studying all possible risks and ensuring unconditional protection to those Ukraine-based Belarusian citizens who might find themselves in the Lukashenka regime’s crosshairs due to their political or civic activities.
belsat.eu
