Vitaly Shishov: Belarus exile group leader, found hanged in Ukrainian capital

Vitaly Shishov, a  Belarusian activist and the head of a Kiev-based organization helping Belarusians flee abroad, was found dead on Tuesday, a day after he went missing, according to Ukraine’s National Police.

Shishov, “was found hanged today in one of Kiev’s parks, not far from his place of residence,” said police in a statement.

“Vitaly’s mobile phone and personal belongings were removed from the scene.”

However, police have launched a criminal case into the suspected “premeditated murder” and will investigate all possibilities, including the possibility that it was “murder disguised as suicide,” said the statement.

The police also added that they would question witnesses and analyze footage from security cameras, and asked those who knew Shishov to come forward with any relevant information on the last few weeks of his life and possible threats he faced.

Recall that Belarus has been in political and social turmoil since last year when a disputed election led to mass protests, then a violent crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko that has been condemned by the international community.