A sombre Alexander Lukashenko bade farewell on the open-topped coffin of his long-serving overseas minister at this time as hypothesis continues to churn over whether or not the diplomat could have been assassinated.
The Belarusian president has reportedly ordered toxicology assessments after Vladimir Makei died all of the sudden on the weekend.
The safety workforce charged with guarding Makei are additionally being subjected to lie detector assessments, reported Telegram channel Obraz Buduschego (Imaginative and prescient of the Future).
Makei’s funeral was held in Minsk this morning amid as but unverified claims the veteran diplomat and former spy, 64, was killed in a Moscow sting operation attributable to his clandestine contacts with the West regarding the battle in Ukraine and efforts to forestall Belarus being integrated into Russia by Vladimir Putin.
A sombre Lukashenko stands over the open coffin of overseas minister Vladimir Makei
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko prepares to pay respects on the funeral of his longtime overseas minister Vladimir Makei, 64, who died all of the sudden of unexplained causes
Minister of International Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, 64, died in undisclosed circumstances
Lukashenko appeared troubled as he paid respects to his fallen proper hand man, and a darkish look crossed his face as he stepped as much as the coffin and rested his hand on its edge and glanced downward.
The funeral ceremony was additionally attended by State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Dmitry Mezentsev, CSTO Secretary Common Stanislav Zas, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of International Affairs Andrei Rudenko.
A number of experiences declare Makei’s loss of life has ‘shaken’ Lukashenko, who now fears for his personal security.
The tyrant has changed his personal cooks and servants, fearing assassination by Moscow, it’s claimed.
The Telegram channel ‘Imaginative and prescient of the Future’ stated the outcomes of a number of autopsy assessments shall be prepared tomorrow.
‘The safety and safety workers of Makei’s home in Drozdy shall be interrogated and bear polygraph assessments,’ it was reported.
Makei’s loss of life has triggered swirling hypothesis amid tensions attributable to Lukashenko’s refusal to again Putin’s battle by deploying Belarus troops, and resistance to his nation being swallowed up by Russia.
A small group of dignitaries watch on on the funeral of Makei
A smiling portrait of Makei adorns his coffin in Minsk, Belarus, this morning
Minister of International Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, 64, died in undisclosed circumstances. Pictured with Alexander Lukashenko.
Exiled Putin critic and businessman Leonid Nevzlin alleged that Makei ‘died because of poisoning developed in an FSB particular laboratory’.
He cited sources ‘near the Russian particular companies’.
A video reveals Makei wanting wholesome on a Belarus navy cargo airplane final week shortly earlier than he died. He wasn’t recognized to endure from any continual sickness.
Nevzlin stated: ‘The scientific image in such instances corresponds to loss of life from stroke or coronary heart failure.’
Makei was due this week to attend an Organisation for Safety and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) assembly in Poland the place he would meet key Western politicians and officers – a session from which Russian overseas minister Sergei Lavrov was barred.
Makei shall be buried on the Vostochnoye Cemetery in Minsk.
Vladimir Makei is pictured together with his spouse Vera Polyakova-Makei
A video taken simply days in the past confirmed Makei seemingly wholesome as he boarded a Belarusian navy jet
Exiled Putin critic and businessman Leonid Nevzlin alleged that Makei ‘died because of poisoning developed in an FSB particular laboratory’
Nevzlin claimed his poisoning idea ‘is supported by the truth that the 64-year-old official had no well being issues, was main an lively life-style and was planning.
‘When he all of the sudden obtained a coronary heart situation, he didn’t go to docs as he had not skilled such issues earlier than and didn’t give any significance to the ache.’
Telegram channel Common SVR additionally claimed that Makei was assassinated.
It was ‘deliberate, ready and applied on the private initiative of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin,’ alleged a brand new put up.
‘No-one actually hides the truth that that is homicide from Lukashenko.
‘The motion was demonstrative and aimed toward disrupting Lukashenko’s separate negotiations with the West and China.’
This model of Makei’s demise suggests the overseas minister was engaged in secret hyperlinks to the West at Lukashenko’s behest in a geopolitical energy play.
A ‘wholesome’ Makei died quickly after getting back from a visit to Armenia the place he met prime Russian officers and hours earlier than he was attributable to host Russia’s Lavrov in Minsk.