Belarus’ foreign minister buried as his death raises suspicions
- Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei’s death at 64 was described as ‘sudden’
- Some observers speculated without evidence he may have been poisoned
Belarus on Tuesday held a state funeral for its foreign minister who died suddenly at age 64, triggering speculation about possible foul play in his death after he leaned toward Western countries.
Belarusian authorities didn’t give the cause of Vladimir Makei’s death on Saturday, which Belta state news agency reported as being “sudden”. He wasn’t known to suffer from any chronic illness.
Some media and observers alleged without offering evidence that Makei could have been poisoned by security agencies of Belarus’ main ally Russia, which has warily watched Makei’s efforts to negotiate a rapprochement with the West.
Makei has been a top associate of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for more than two decades.
Many analysts saw his diplomatic manoeuvring as part of Lukashenko’s efforts to improve ties with the West, which were frozen after a brutal crackdown on protests that followed his 2020 re-election that the opposition and the West deemed rigged.
Belarus’ relations with the West were further strained after the country hosted Russian troops that invaded Ukraine on February 24.