Ukrainian police have launched a murder case after a Belarusian activist who was reported missing was found dead in a park in Kiev.

Vitaly Shishov led Kiev-based non-profit organisation Belarusian House (BDU) that helps Belarusians fleeing persecution.

He was reported missing by his partner on Monday after not returning home from a run.

Image: Mr Shishov was reported missing by his partner on Monday. Pic: Belarusian House in Ukraine

Police have launched a criminal case for suspected murder but said in a statement they will be investigating all possibilities, including murder disguised as suicide.

Mr Shishov felt he was under constant surveillance since leaving Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his BDU colleagues said in a statement.

He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed, but treated such warnings "stoically and with humour".

Many Belarusians have fled the country after dictator Alexander Lukashenko's government launched a violent crackdown, with many leaving for Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania in particular to escape persecution.

More on Belarus

Belarusian authorities view anti-government protesters as criminals or violent revolutionaries backed by the West and say the actions of law enforcement agencies are adequate and necessary.

Belarusian journalist Taduesz Gizcan said in a tweet that police traced Mr Shishov's phone during the search for him "to no avail" and that his friends said he has been followed recently.

BDU helps Belarusians find accommodation, jobs and legal advice, its website says.

Image: Protests at the disputed elections were widespread in Minsk last year. Pic: Tut.By via Reuters

The organisation said in a statement that Mr Shishov had left his home at 9am on Monday and was supposed to have returned an hour later.

In a separate statement, BDU said he "was under surveillance" and the facts were notified to the police.

"Also, we were repeatedly warned by both local sources and our people in the Republic of Belarus about all kinds of provocations, including kidnapping and liquidation," it added.

"There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by the Chekists to eliminate a truly dangerous regime in Belarus. We will continue to seek the truth in the death of Vitaly!"

Who was Vitaly Shishov?

Vitaly Shishov was the head of the non-profit organisation Belarus House (BDU), based in Kiev, Ukraine., which helps Belarusians flee persecution.

Mr Shishov was forced to move to Ukraine in autumn 2020 after going to the Gomel protests in August and further active opposition to the usurpers of power in Belarus, the organisation said.

BDU said he "stood at the origins of the creation of the Belarusian House" and "undertook absolutely all areas of activity: helping relocators, holding actions against the Lukashenka regime, appealing to government agencies to promote bills that help our compatriots, forming a diaspora in Ukraine."

The news of Mr Shishov's death comes a day after Belarusian sprinter Krystina Tsimanouskaya was granted a humanitarian visa from Poland after refusing to board a Minsk-bound flight from Tokyo.

The 24-year-old said she was seized by officials from her own country on Sunday after she publicly complained about the national coaches and sought police protection in fear her life was in danger.

Her husband, Arseniy Zdanevich, who is also an athlete, left Belarus on Sunday night for Kiev.

Image: Belarus sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya has received a humanitarian visa from Poland

He told Sky News: "I didn't think it would get this serious. I made the decision to leave without thinking twice."

Mr Zdanevich said he is sure he will join his wife wherever she ends up.

"We never had any connections, never supported the opposition. We're just normal sports people, we're just devoted to sports and we're not interested in the opposition movement," he added.

Image: Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minsk, Belarus, to protest against the disputed August presidential elections results

Mr Lukashenko has vowed to continue what he called a "mopping-up operation" against civil society activists whom he has denounced as "bandits and foreign agents".

His government faced months of protests after he won a sixth term in office last August, a vote that the opposition and the West believe was rigged.

In response to the demonstrations, he launched a violent crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police.