Belarusian opposition media reported on June 26th, 2024, that former Belarusian ambassador to Germany from 2016 to 2024, Dzjanis Sidarenka, threw himself out of a high-rise window in Minsk after intense interrogation from the Belarusian State Security Committee (KGB). He had been dismissed in March 2024 and was not appointed a replacement upon returning.
According to @nashaniva, former #Belarus ambassador to ?? Sidarenka committed suicide. Known for his liberal views & support for engagement with Western diplomats, he was subjected to interrogations, polygraph tests & special scrutiny by regime security forces after his return. pic.twitter.com/Hz3HEoO5yD
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 26, 2024
Today, Belarusian Foreign Minister Aleinik was dismissed from his position after replacing Vladimir Makei who died at age 64.
Makei’s death sent ripples throughout the European community as many suspected foul play as he was orchestrating a rapprochement with the West during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Upon Makei’s death, Belarus began in earnest to wage a hybrid war with Poland via deploying thousands of African and Middle Eastern migrants to the border regions, overloading the Polish Border Guards.
Today, Aleinik was replaced by close Lukashenko ally, Maxim Ryzhenkov.
It is also worth noting that President Lukashenko also replaced the Presidential Administration Head, the Agricultural and Industry Minister, and the Ambassador to Russia. However, it is Lukashenko’s war on the Foreign Ministry that most illuminates his isolation and suspicion of foreign influence in his government.
