Belarusian foreign minister died by suicide after meeting Putin’s officials: report

The foreign minister of Belarus died by suicide just days after returning from a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s officials in Armenia, according to a new report.

Long-serving foreign minister Vladimir Makei, 64, was reported to have suffered a heart attack when he died suddenly on Nov. 26.

But according to reporting by the independent Belarusian media outlet Nasha Niva, citing four unrelated sources, the liberal-leaning Makei took his own life four days after attending the summit in Armenia.

“Makei’s friends say he was painfully upset by the collapse of the course he was leading,” reported Nasha Niva, adding that those close to him did not believe he was murdered.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko aimed to replace Makei, who had served as his top diplomat since 2012, according to the news outlet, although it was unclear whether this was at Moscow’s behest.

“Recently, he has been denied personal attention [from Lukashenko],” Makei’s colleague said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It was very perceptible to him.”

Another unnamed source was quoted as saying: “He understood that the former high position [he was occupying] was coming to an end. And after his heights, he did not see himself anywhere else.”

© Provided by New York Post Belarusian foreign minister Vladimir Makei, 64, allegedly died by suicide in November, according to a new report. AP © Provided by New York Post Makei had served as Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s top diplomat for a decade. Belnaviny/east2west news

Those who knew the foreign minister told the publication that he increasingly felt “unnecessary and “sometimes simply out of place.”

Ominously, Makei had said seven months before his death: “I don’t remember who said it, but if you are going to be executed, then it is better to be executed for loyalty than for treason.”

Makei was also was experiencing marital problems, Nasha Niva reported. His wife, Vera Polyakova, and their youngest son were not with him when he was found dead.

© Provided by New York Post Makei, left, was said to have been having marital problems. He is pictured with wife Very, 2nd L, and their two sons. Volha Shukaila / SOPA Images/Sipa USA

Lukashenko attended Makei’s funeral on Nov. 29, but Moscow did not send his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to represent the Kremlin.

Other reports at the time Makei’s death claimed he may have been poisoned by Russians whom he met at a Collective Security Treaty Organization summit in Armenia.

Exiled Russian businessman and opposition activist Leonid Nevzlin alleged that Makei “died as a result of poisoning using a poison developed in an FSB special laboratory”.

© Provided by New York Post Lukashenko attended Makei’s funeral held just days after his death. According to the official version, the diplomat had suffered a heart attack.via REUTERS © Provided by New York Post Members of the guard of honor stand by Makei’s coffin during a farewell ceremony in Minsk, Belarus, November 29, 2022via REUTERS © Provided by New York Post Makei’s Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, right, did not attend his memorial service.Russian MFA/east2west news

He cited sources “close to the Russian special services.” Nevzlin claimed that the effects of the poison resemble those of a heart attack, a stroke of heart failure.

Belarus has refused to disclose full details of Makei’s death other than to suggest he suffered a heart attack.