Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, is among those freed, but many political prisoners remain in custody.
Freedom for Belarusian Political Prisoners Amid International Pressure
Freedom for Belarusian Political Prisoners Amid International Pressure
Unexpected release of opposition leader's husband and others marks a significant moment for Belarus.
Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has been unexpectedly released from prison following diplomatic efforts, including a visit from US special envoy Keith Kellogg. He has now been moved to Lithuania, where he is joyfully reunited with his wife, who has been living in exile in Vilnius. Alongside Tikhanovsky, at least 10 additional political prisoners have also been released, including former journalist Ihar Karnei.
The timing of the releases coincided with Kellogg's meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, raising hopes for further progress. Tikhanovskaya took to social media to express her joy, stating, "My husband … is free! It's hard to describe the joy in my heart," and acknowledged the support she received from Donald Trump and European allies in the fight for her husband’s release. However, in her message, she emphasized that the struggle continues, as approximately 1,150 political prisoners still remain incarcerated in Belarus.
The list of the released individuals encompasses five Belarusian citizens as well as citizens from Japan, Poland, and Sweden, as per Tikhanovskaya's office. Lithuania's foreign minister confirmed that all 14 prisoners are receiving support in Lithuania. It's important to note that prominent opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova remains imprisoned despite the releases, indicating ongoing challenges for dissent in Belarus.
In the wake of Tikhanovsky's arrest in 2020, his wife Svetlana stepped in as a presidential candidate, alleging victory in elections that were marred by widespread accusations of fraud. Since then, she has been a vocal opponent of Lukashenko's regime, which has been in power since 1994, following a brutal crackdown on protests. Hundreds of thousands have fled Belarus amidst these turbulent times, and tens of thousands have faced political arrests in recent years, according to human rights organization Viasna.
The timing of the releases coincided with Kellogg's meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, raising hopes for further progress. Tikhanovskaya took to social media to express her joy, stating, "My husband … is free! It's hard to describe the joy in my heart," and acknowledged the support she received from Donald Trump and European allies in the fight for her husband’s release. However, in her message, she emphasized that the struggle continues, as approximately 1,150 political prisoners still remain incarcerated in Belarus.
The list of the released individuals encompasses five Belarusian citizens as well as citizens from Japan, Poland, and Sweden, as per Tikhanovskaya's office. Lithuania's foreign minister confirmed that all 14 prisoners are receiving support in Lithuania. It's important to note that prominent opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova remains imprisoned despite the releases, indicating ongoing challenges for dissent in Belarus.
In the wake of Tikhanovsky's arrest in 2020, his wife Svetlana stepped in as a presidential candidate, alleging victory in elections that were marred by widespread accusations of fraud. Since then, she has been a vocal opponent of Lukashenko's regime, which has been in power since 1994, following a brutal crackdown on protests. Hundreds of thousands have fled Belarus amidst these turbulent times, and tens of thousands have faced political arrests in recent years, according to human rights organization Viasna.
