Statement on Detention of GW Doctoral Student Stas Gorelik

The George Washington University has learned that one of our doctoral students, Mr. Stas Gorelik, was detained in Belarus in the early morning of August 12, 2020. Mr. Gorelik, a Belarusian citizen, has been a doctoral student in the Department of Political Science since the fall of 2016, and has served as a graduate teaching assistant during that time. Mr. Gorelik has been unable to return to the United States due COVID-19 travel restrictions. We are continuing to monitor the situation as it unfolds and are in contact with relevant parties. We are concerned about his welfare, and have reached out to his family to offer support and assistance.