Claim: The Belarusian government said that the founder of Charter 97, Aleh Biabienin committed suicide by hanging after his body was found in his house; however Biabienin's friends have rejected this idea stating there were no messages or notes left, and there was no indication he planned to commit suicide.
Evidence: On 3 September 2010, the body of the founder of Charter 97, Aleh Biabienin, was found in his house near Minsk. According to initial statements by the Belarusian government, Biabienin committed suicide by hanging himself. However, friends of Biabienin have rejected this, stating that there was no indication he was planning to commit suicide, and that there were no messages or notes left behind.