WARSAW — Belarusian opposition figures and human rights advocates have urged U.S. authorities to intensify efforts to locate a missing Belarusian dissident whose disappearance has prompted allegations of possible links to Russian or Belarusian security services, according to statements from the activist’s family and opposition representatives.
The case centers on Anatol Kotau, a former Belarusian sports official who later became an opposition activist. Kotau disappeared after traveling from Warsaw to Istanbul in August 2025, and his whereabouts remain unknown, according to his wife, Anastasia Kotau, and Belarusian opposition supporters. Reuters previously reported that family members and activists have called for greater international involvement in efforts to determine what happened to him.
Anastasia Kotau has expressed hope that U.S. officials involved in contacts with Belarus can help obtain information about her husband’s fate. She told Reuters that she believes international pressure could assist efforts to locate him and clarify the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. “I hope that he is alive,” she said, according to Reuters.
Supporters of Kotau have raised concerns that he may have been abducted and transferred to Belarus or Russia, though no public evidence has been produced confirming those claims. Reuters reported that activists have alleged possible involvement by Belarusian security services, while details surrounding the disappearance remain unclear.
The case has emerged amid broader U.S. engagement with Belarus on political prisoner issues. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said this month that negotiations involving U.S. representatives and the government of President Alexander Lukashenko had slowed after earlier releases of political prisoners. According to Tsikhanouskaya, U.S. officials informed the opposition that additional planned releases had been delayed.
Human rights organization Viasna has said hundreds of political prisoners remain in Belarusian detention facilities. Western governments and rights groups have repeatedly criticized Belarus over its treatment of political opponents, while Belarusian authorities reject accusations that they persecute individuals for political reasons.
Kotau, who left Belarus after the political unrest that followed the country’s 2020 presidential election, had been sentenced in absentia by Belarusian authorities on extremism-related charges, according to Reuters. His supporters say he faced risks if returned to Belarus.
As of Friday, no official information had been released regarding Kotau’s whereabouts. U.S. officials have not publicly announced any new findings in the case, and details surrounding his disappearance remain unresolved.
