Body of Election Committee Member Found in River After Refusing to Sign Lukashenko's Victory Protocol

The body of Konstantin Shishmakov, the director of the Patriotic War Museum named after Bagration in the city of Volkovysk, has been found in Belarus. According to reports from the search and rescue unit, the 29-year-old had been missing since August 15.

He called his wife to inform her that he had been fired from his job and was returning home, but he never arrived.

It had previously been reported that Shishmakov, as a member of the electoral commission, had refused to sign the presidential election protocol. His father stated, “Everything started on the 9th when he was in the electoral commission. There was another boy with him. They both did not sign the final protocol. My son said that someone signed on their behalf.”

It is noteworthy that mass protests have been taking place in various cities across Belarus immediately following the elections. Dissatisfied citizens have been taking to the streets daily. According to the Central Election Commission, the current president, Alexander Lukashenko, has won with 80.1% of the votes, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came in second with 10.12%. The opposition does not accept these results and is calling for new presidential elections, while Tikhanovskaya is currently in Lithuania.

During the first days of the protests, more than 6,700 people were arrested, and hundreds have been injured and hospitalized. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this includes 120 law enforcement officers. The Ministry of Health has reported that two participants in the protests have died.