OSCE experts fail to objectively investigate case of Byabenin

The OSCE experts gave their assessment only on the basis of the “inquiry” performed by the authorities.

The OSCE website issued a press release today saying the experts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) completed an assessment of the ongoing investigation into the death of the Belarusian journalist Aleh Byabenin.

The review of the investigation is in response to a request made by the Belarusian authorities. The experts were asked to review all existing evidence and materials concerning the death.

“The experts' evaluation and analysis is that, on the basis of all the evidence and information available to them, the cause and manner of death was suicide by hanging. In the experts' view, there is no reason to believe that Mr. Byabenin was hanged after death,” the press release says.

According to the press release, there were two experts, from Norway and Sweden, but there’s no information about their names.

The OSCE was asked to provide a technical assessment, not a full inquiry into this tragic death. The experts performed their tasks strictly within their mandate and produced an independent report, the OSCE press release reports.

The experts note “some specific areas of possible further technical analysis that relevant Belarusian authorities may consider”.

Aleh Byabenin, the founder and director of charter97.org website, was found hanging in his summer house near Minsk on September 3. The law-enforcement agencies hurried to report it was a suicide. The death of Aleh Byabenin raises many questions. Forensic scientists cannot define the exact time of his death. Aleh Byabenin didn’t leave a suicide note .Friends and relatives of the journalist claim there were traces of violence on his body. Aleh Byabenin was a key figure in the team of opposition presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov.