Belarusian opposition activist Nikolai Statkievich refused to leave the country, with masked men reportedly abducting him after authorities failed to persuade him to cross into neighboring Lithuania.
Statkievich Refuses to Leave
Nikolai Statkievich, the Belarusian opposition activist, initially refused to leave the country, according to accounts provided by Denis Kuchynski, an advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Grand Finale at Border
The culmination of events took place at the Belarus-Lithuania border in the neutral zone known as Kamenny Log. When they arrived at this area, Statkievich practically pushed open the door in a swift motion, jumped out of the bus, and began running towards Belarusian territory before being apprehended.
No Concessions
He spent some time in the border zone, where attempts were made to persuade him to leave for Lithuania. His colleague from the party, Evgeny Volski, described how Statkievich remained steadfast in his decision despite discussions with American diplomats, his wife, and other people.
Mysterious Abduction
When it became clear that the politician would not change his decision, he was taken away by masked men in an unknown direction, with them maintaining their position throughout the entire incident.
