«More of a commercial dispute». Apeikin voiced his version of Kotau's disappearance
Apeikin is also skeptical of the version involving a long and complex operation.
Anatoly Kotau, Belsat
Following the BRC investigation into the disappearance of Anatoly Kotau, a former official who joined the opposition in 2002, his close colleague from the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, Aliaksandr Apeikin, gave an interview to "Pik Svabody".
In it, he stated that the official version is only part of a much broader story, and that the BRC investigation itself "does not reveal even a fifth of the real picture".
According to Apeikin, the key to understanding the situation should not be sought in a single episode, but in the long context of Kotau's life.
— I mean, the official investigation published by the BRC is undoubtedly a very important and significant work, but it describes only one specific episode. At the same time, behind this episode lies a much broader context, which includes Anatoly Kotau's previous years of life, his connections, and his participation in various state, commercial, and public projects, where he intersected with very different people – both representatives of the security bloc and representatives of business structures and individuals close to power, — he noted.
According to him, if only one episode is considered, "the overall picture is lost," and to understand how Kotau ended up in such a situation, one must trace his path much earlier — possibly as far back as 2011–2012.
«I don't rule out a commercial order»
Apeikin also admits that not only special services could be behind Kotau's disappearance.
— I mean, there are several possible versions of what happened. One of them is, of course, the version involving special services, and it cannot be ruled out. But at the same time, I admit that it could have been a completely different story — for example, a commercial conflict or private settling of scores, — he said.
According to Apeikin, Kotau was involved in a large number of projects — state, commercial, and international — where conflicts of a financial or reputational nature could arise.
— In such environments, conflicts often arise, including financial or reputational ones. And I do not rule out that there could have been specific commercial consequences or situations that became very important and painful for someone. Therefore, I am not claiming that it definitely wasn't the special services, but I am saying that it is not the only possibility, — he noted.
«I don't see a full connection of all participants to the special services»
At the same time, Apeikin states that he does not see a clear and direct connection between all persons involved in the story and the Belarusian special services.
— I am saying that, as of today, I do not see a full, unambiguous, and direct connection of all participants in this story with the Belarusian special services. Yes, some of the people have a relevant background, but that does not mean that the entire story was a state special operation, — he declared.
At the same time, he does not rule out the version involving special services, but considers it only one of the possibilities.
— There are other options — commercial conflicts, personal conflicts, perhaps even revenge, — Apeikin added.
«It didn't look like a farewell»
Separately, he commented on Kotau's messages to his wife before his disappearance.
— At the moment they were written, they didn't look like a direct farewell. They were more abstract messages, family photos, emotional signals, but without obvious context. And only now, knowing the entire course of events, can they be interpreted as possible signals that the person was beginning to understand the danger of the situation, — he said.
«More of a spontaneous decision than a long operation»
Apeikin is also skeptical of the version involving a long and complex operation.
— I don't think it was an operation that was developed over two years. Most likely, the decision was quite spontaneous. And then a network of people who were available and could technically implement it was already active, — he noted.
«He could have ended up in a commercial network»
According to Apeikin, Kotau's contacts and his involvement in various commercial circles could have been a key factor.
— He had a wide circle of acquaintances, and information about him could have reached people who decided to act. But it is impossible to say exactly what became the trigger now, — he said.
«Two main versions»
When it comes to where Kotau might be now, Apeikin names two main versions.
— As of today, there are two main realistic versions. The first is that he may be in the territory of the Russian Federation. The second is that, unfortunately, he may no longer be alive. If he were in Belarus, they would have already shown him to us, — he stated.
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