US Department of State: US to Closely Monitor Investigation into Vitaly Shishov's Death

The Lukashenka regime has created a number of international incidents in recent weeks.

The United States will closely monitor the investigation into the cause of death of Belarusian opposition activist Vitaly Shishov, US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said, the Voice of America reported.

"We strongly condemn the continuing brutal transnational repression of Belarusian civil society by the Lukashenka regime," Price said, responding to a journalist's request to comment on allegations of Belarusian special services' involvement in Shishov's death. Representatives of the Belarusian opposition have already raised the issue.

"Mr Shishov had to live outside his country because of the repression of the Lukashenka regime against journalists, civil society, political opposition, athletes and ordinary citizens," said Price.

The Department of State spokesperson recalls in recent weeks alone the international community had seen "disturbing incidents" related to the actions of official Minsk, including the forced landing of a Ryanair airliner and the scandal involving a Belarusian Olympic athlete who sought political asylum in Poland.

"Now, when it comes to the death of Mr Shishov, we will continue to keep a close eye on the investigation, although we refer you to the Ukrainian authorities for comment," Price added.

Vitaliy Shishov, forced to flee to Ukraine, was found hanged in a park near his home in Kyiv on Tuesday morning. Ukrainian police are investigating the circumstances of his death.

Shishov, who headed an organisation in Kyiv that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution by the authorities, went missing on Monday after not returning home from jogging.

Police are considering the possibility of suicide or a staged suicide. Shishov had abrasions on his nose and knees, but it is too early to say he was the victim of an attack, National Police chief Igor Klimenko said today.

"The death occurred amid unacceptable reprisals against civil society by the Belarusian authorities. We hope for a full and thorough investigation by the Ukrainian authorities to establish the causes and circumstances of (Shishov's) death," the US embassy in Kyiv said today.