Belarusian Doctor Who Criticized Lukashenka Flees To Lithuania After Arrest In Russia

Belarusian activist Andrey Stryzhak said on August 6 that noted physician Uladzimer Martau, who is wanted in Minsk on extremism charges, has fled to Lithuania. Several sources confirmed the news to RFE/RL. Earlier in May, Martau was detained in Russia at Minsk's request. Martau became known in 2020 when he criticized authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in an interview with RFE/RL. In 2021, Martau left Belarus after officials opened an investigation into the interview, calling it "extremist material." It remains unclear how Martau managed to flee to Lithuania after his arrest in Russia. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.