Belarus Human Rights Activist Found Dead in Ukraine

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Vitaly Shishov, a Belarusian human rights activist, was found dead in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, local police announced on the 3rd.

Shishov, who led the Belarusian House headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine, was found hanged in a park not far from his home, the police said. The police added that they are investigating the case as a murder, suspecting that the death was staged to look like a suicide.

The Belarusian House reported that Shishov went missing while jogging on the morning of the 2nd. The Belarusian human rights center Viasna, citing Shishov's friends, stated that he had recently been followed by strangers while running. The Belarusian House helps Belarusians who have fled persecution by assisting them with legal status, accommodation, and job searches in Ukraine.

Belarus has recently intensified pressure on non-governmental organizations and independent media, raiding offices and apartments of activists and journalists over 200 times in July alone, detaining dozens of people.

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