Matvey Belyay

Matvey Belyay is a Belarusian national who gained notoriety for his involvement in a violent incident at the Belarusian embassy in Lithuania in April 2023, for which he was convicted in January 2024. He previously faced legal issues in Belarus, including a prior conviction for vandalism at the government building, leading to a court-mandated psychiatric treatment. His journey took him from Belarus to Russia, and eventually to Lithuania, where he was sentenced to an 11-month restriction of freedom but was released after serving his time. Recent reports suggest his return to Belarus under controversial circumstances, with state authorities alleging he was forcibly extradited by Lithuanian officials, although no evidence has substantiated this claim.