Bringing medicine to parents: wife of Israeli arrested in Minsk asks for Foreign Ministry's help

The wife of an Israeli arrested in Minsk is asking the Foreign Ministry for help. Her husband was carrying 170 tablets of the sedative drug 'Vaben' for his elderly parents but was detained for smuggling psychotropic substances. The family claims it was an innocent mistake and complains about the inaction of Israeli diplomats.

Regina, the wife of an Israeli arrested in Minsk, has appealed to the editorial board of 'Vesti' for help from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Her husband, Evgeny Z., a resident of the Kadima-Tzoran community, was detained on August 6, 2026, at Minsk airport while passing through the green channel. He was found with 170 tablets of the drug 'Vaben' (oxazepam), which Belarusian customs classified as a dangerous psychotropic substance. A criminal case for smuggling has been opened against him. The family claims the medication was intended for Evgeny's elderly parents, who live in Belarus and care for his 101-year-old grandmother. According to Regina, the drug was prescribed, lay in a pharmacy bag with labels, and there was no intent to smuggle it. Initially, Evgeny was released, but two weeks later he was arrested and placed in pretrial detention. Regina states that consulate staff never visited him despite appeals. The family seeks publicity and diplomatic intervention, citing the precedent of Naama Issachar's release.