On August 6, Belarusian activist Andrey Stryzhak announced that a noted physician Uladzimer Martau, who is wanted in Minsk on extremism charges, has fled to Lithuania.
Several sources also confirmed the news to RFE/RL, partners of LRT English.
The doctor openly spoke to the media about the country’s healthcare at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. On March 12, 2021, Alexander Lukashenko said that Martau "needs to be put in his place". Less than a month later on April 3, 2021, the doctor was fired – his contract was not renewed.
He then became active on social media in speaking out against the Belarusian regime. He left Belarus for Russia in 2022 after Minsk opened an investigation into him following an interview with the RFE/RL publication.
In May this year, Martau was detained in Russia following a request by Minsk and later extradited to Belarus.
It remains unclear how Martau managed to flee to Lithuania, RFE/RL said.
LRT.lt has turned to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry for a comment.
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