The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has welcomed the release of Belarusian activist and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He was freed along with 13 other political prisoners in a deal brokered by the United States.
Tsikhanouski had been jailed since May 2020 on charges widely seen as politically motivated. His arrest came as he prepared to run in the presidential election. His wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, stepped in to run in his place. According to independent observers, she won the vote. However, the ruling government declared Alexander Lukashenka the winner, leading to mass protests across the country.
The demonstrations were the largest pro-democracy rallies in Belarusian history. Tsikhanouskaya became a symbol of the movement for change. She gained global attention as a leading voice for a free and democratic Belarus. The release of her husband marks a personal and political milestone in this struggle.
Damon Wilson, President and CEO of NED, expressed support for the Belarusian people. He said the group stands with Tsikhanouskaya and others in the democracy movement. He praised the reunion between Sviatlana and Siarhei after years of forced separation.
“Siarhei should never have spent a single day behind bars,” Wilson said. “We thank President Trump and Special Envoy Kellogg for helping secure the release of Siarhei and the other political prisoners.”
Tsikhanouski, now 46 years old, was sentenced in 2021 to 19.5 years in a high-security penal colony. He spent over five years in custody. For two of those years, he was held in total isolation and denied access to legal support. Despite these harsh conditions, he remained a key figure in the opposition movement.
Throughout his detention, Tsikhanouskaya and her team continued to call for his release. They also worked for the freedom of more than 1,100 other political prisoners still held in Belarus. In 2024, Tsikhanouskaya received the Democracy Service Medal from NED. This award recognized her strong leadership and commitment to democratic values.
NED has reaffirmed its full support for those fighting for democracy in Belarus. The organization called for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience. They stressed the need for global attention to ongoing human rights abuses in the country.
This recent release offers hope, but advocates say the fight is far from over. The Belarusian government still holds hundreds of people behind bars for peaceful protests or opposing views. International organizations have urged action to stop the repression and to support civil society in Belarus.
Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s release is seen not only as a victory for his family but also as a symbol of resilience. His story highlights the cost of standing up to authoritarian rule and the power of global solidarity in defending human rights.
As Siarhei returns to his family, the global community watches Belarus closely. Supporters hope this event will bring more attention to the country’s ongoing struggle for freedom. Activists believe that true change in Belarus will only come when all political prisoners are freed and the people’s voices are truly heard.
