Belarusian Businessman Resurfaces in State Propaganda Film After Disappearance from Poland

A Belarusian businessman who mysteriously vanished from Poland approximately one month ago has appeared in a new propaganda film produced by Belarus’s state television channel. Anatol Vaitsiakhouski, last seen in Białystok, Poland, is now featured in a trailer for “Return Home,” described as an “investigative film” by the Belarus 1 TV channel.

The trailer’s release has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations and the Belarusian diaspora about the circumstances of Vaitsiakhouski’s disappearance and subsequent reappearance in Belarus.

Vaitsiakhouski has a significant background in independent media and business in Belarus. In the 1990s, he established “Shag,” one of the first private newspapers in Baranavichy, a city in western Belarus. He later transitioned to business operations in the early 2000s, building a reputation as an entrepreneur in the increasingly restrictive Belarusian economy.

His troubles with Belarusian authorities began in April 2023, when he was detained over comments he had made, reportedly critical of the government. Following this detention, Vaitsiakhouski was evacuated to Poland with assistance from BYSOL, a non-profit organization that helps Belarusians facing political persecution.

This isn’t the first time Vaitsiakhouski has appeared in Belarusian state media since his exile. Earlier this year, both he and fellow activist Uladzimir Usser were featured in another propaganda film titled “Foreign Sky.” The production purported to document the challenging conditions faced by Belarusian exiles. However, sources close to both men later revealed they had been filmed under deception, unaware of how their testimonies would be used.

The situation took a darker turn in November 2025 when Usser, who shared an apartment with Vaitsiakhouski in Białystok, was detained by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW). Polish authorities charged Usser with working in the interests of a foreign intelligence service against Polish state interests. Due to health concerns, Usser was not held in custody but was initially hospitalized and later moved to a shelter in Białystok. He died in early December under circumstances that remain unclear.

Following Usser’s death, Vaitsiakhouski’s behavior changed dramatically. He stopped reporting to his job as a taxi driver, deleted his profile on the messaging platform Telegram, and turned off his mobile phone. His sudden disappearance alarmed the local Belarusian community in Poland, until his unexpected reappearance in Belarus via state television.

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Belarus and neighboring countries, particularly Poland, which has become home to thousands of Belarusian exiles following the disputed 2020 presidential election and subsequent crackdown on dissent by Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.

Security analysts suggest this incident could be part of Belarus’s broader strategy to intimidate exiles and discourage opposition activities abroad. The pattern of disappearances followed by appearances in state media has become a recognizable tactic employed by authoritarian regimes to discredit opposition figures.

Polish authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding Vaitsiakhouski’s disappearance from their territory. However, the case raises significant questions about potential cross-border security breaches and the safety of political refugees in the European Union.

The Belarusian diaspora and international human rights organizations are calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both Usser’s death and Vaitsiakhouski’s disappearance and reappearance in Belarus.

As the full version of “Return Home” has yet to be released, observers are closely monitoring what claims might be made about Vaitsiakhouski and whether he appears to be speaking freely or under duress in the production.