Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a prominent Belarusian opposition leader, has been released from prison and is now in Lithuania. His release came after a significant meeting between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Keith Kellogg, a top U.S. envoy. This marks a rare diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Belarus, a country closely aligned with Russia.
Tsikhanouski’s troubles began in 2020 when he announced his intention to run against Lukashenko in the presidential election. Shortly after, he was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of organizing mass unrest and inciting social hatred. His wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, stepped in to lead the opposition in his absence and has since become a key figure in Belarusian politics, now living in exile in Lithuania.
The recent diplomatic efforts led by Kellogg, who is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Belarus in years, resulted in the release of Tsikhanouski along with 13 other political prisoners. This group included individuals from various nationalities, highlighting the international concern for political freedoms in Belarus.
In a video shared by Tsikhanouskaya, Tsikhanouski appeared visibly thin but smiled as he was greeted by supporters. His wife expressed immense joy at his release, thanking U.S. officials and European allies for their support. However, she also reminded everyone that the struggle continues, as over 1,100 political prisoners remain in Belarus.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the release as a hopeful sign for political prisoners in Belarus. Meanwhile, Poland’s foreign minister emphasized the importance of Tsikhanouski’s freedom for the future of democracy in the region.
Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, continues to face scrutiny for his regime’s harsh crackdowns on dissent, especially following the contested elections in 2020. The recent talks with the U.S. envoy may open doors for future discussions about lifting sanctions imposed due to the regime’s actions against protesters and its support for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The release of Tsikhanouski and the ongoing plight of political prisoners in Belarus underscore the need for continued international attention and action regarding human rights in the country.