Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a well-known Belarus opposition leader, has been released after spending five years in prison. His wife, Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, confirmed his release through a video on social media, where the couple is seen embracing. In her message, she expressed deep happiness and thanked international supporters, including former US President Donald Trump and American envoy Keith Kellogg.
Tsikhanouskaya wrote that while her husband is finally free, the fight for justice is not over. She reminded the public that 1,150 political prisoners are still being held in Belarus. She urged for the release of all those detained for their political beliefs.
A spokesperson for Tsikhanouskaya said that Tsikhanouski is now in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Alongside him, 13 other prisoners were also released and transferred to Lithuania for proper care. The group includes five other Belarus nationals, three Polish citizens, two Latvians, two Japanese, and one Swedish national.
Among those freed is journalist Igor Karnei, who was arrested in 2023. He had worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was accused of being part of an “extremist” group. Lithuanian officials stated that all released individuals are safe and receiving support.
The timing of the release is important. It came just hours after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held talks with US envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk. This meeting marked the most high-profile visit by a US official to Belarus in years. Local media linked the release to this diplomatic meeting, suggesting that it may have influenced the decision.
Tsikhanouski rose to fame in 2020 when he announced plans to challenge Lukashenko in the presidential election. Known for his charisma, he gave Lukashenko the nickname “cockroach” and used the slogan “Stop the cockroach” in his campaign. His followers waved slippers at rallies as a symbol of protest.
However, his political ambitions were cut short. Authorities arrested him just weeks before the election. His wife, who had no political experience at the time, stepped in and became the face of the opposition. She ran in his place and quickly gained support.
In 2021, Tsikhanouski was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of organizing riots and inciting hatred. An additional 18 months were added later for alleged disobedience. Human rights groups and Western governments criticized the charges, calling them politically motivated.
Since 1994, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with a tight grip. He has banned opposition parties and allowed no fair elections. The country remains the only one in Europe where the death penalty is still used. According to human rights group Viasna, more than 1,000 political prisoners are currently held in Belarusian jails.
The release of Tsikhanouski and others may signal a shift in Belarus’s relations with the West. However, observers warn that more pressure is needed to bring lasting political change. For now, Tsikhanouski’s freedom offers a moment of hope for the country’s opposition movement and the families still waiting for their loved ones to return home.
