Died journalist Anatol Maisenya would have celebrated his 50th birthday

On this day, fifty years ago, journalist and politologist Anatol Maisenya, one of the brightest persons in the modern history of Belarus of late 1980ies-middle 1990ies, was born.

At 7.30 p.m. November 12, 1996, president of the National Center of Strategic Initiatives Vostok-Zapad, famous journalist and politologist Anatol Maisenya, driving Jeep Cherokee, has a crashed with Gaz-53 at the 286th kilometre of Brest-Minsk highway near Yablaneuka village, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) reports.

According to the official version, built on conclusions of officers of the militia departmtn of Staubtsy town, Maisenya was guilty in the crash, because he “lost control of the car”. In other words, Anatol Maisenya, who died on the way to hospital, fell asleep when driving. However, there is an unofficial point of view, according to which Maisenya’s death wasn’t accidental.

There are enough proofs for such opinions. Maisenya was a kind of a bridge between Europe and Belarus. The organization, created by Maisenya, was especially active in early 1990ies. Not without reason, Anatol was considered to oppose the authorities.

So, the dialog between the Belarusian authorities and the West was conducted via an oppositionist.

In actual fact, Vostok-Zapad center, or to be more precise its activities, were the place where representatives of Europe, NATO, and Belarus could negotiate. Anatol was among the most active members of the 12th Supreme Council, so Maisenya’s logic can be easily understood.

Just after the accident, former investigator and former first minister of internal affairs Yury Zakharanka arrived at the site. His conclusion was categorical – murder. It aroused numerous rumours stating the authorities just “removed” the powerful opponent. However, the rumours remained just rumours: most people didn’t believe it was possible.

Anatol Maisenya was born January 4, 1959 in the village Bolshaya Lipa (the Byasvizh district, the Minsk region).

In early 1980ies eh decided to try hand at journalism.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists awarded Anatol prize “For Best Analytical Material” for his article Belarus in Darkness. The prize was awarded post-mortem...

In 1995, Maisenya ties to get into politics. He run for the 13th Supreme Council in the Nyasvizh district.

In fatal November 1996, Maisenya visited a conference in Rome, and then moved to Germany to his friends. He hurried to return home, and didn’t stay in Germany for the night. The accident occurred near his native village. After two weeks, the notorious “referendum” was held.