Sergei Tikhanovsky, husband of Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has been freed along with other political prisoners, amid ongoing efforts to combat Belarusian government repression.
Belarusian Opposition Leader's Husband Released from Prison in Surprise Move
Belarusian Opposition Leader's Husband Released from Prison in Surprise Move
Sergei Tikhanovsky's unexpected release marks a significant moment for Belarusian politics and opposition leaders.
In a surprising turn of events, the husband of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a prominent Belarusian opposition leader, has been released from prison, along with a group of other political prisoners. Sergei Tikhanovsky was moved to Lithuania, where he was reunited with his wife in the capital city of Vilnius. This unexpected release involved at least 10 prisoners and coincided with the visit of US special envoy Keith Kellogg to Minsk for discussions with President Alexander Lukashenko.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya shared her joy on social media, expressing gratitude towards Donald Trump, Kellogg, and European allies for their roles in securing her husband’s freedom. "My husband ... is free! It's hard to describe the joy in my heart," she posted on X, stressing that the fight is not over with 1,150 political prisoners still incarcerated.
In addition to Tikhanovsky, the released prisoners included five Belarusian nationals as well as individuals from Japan, Poland, and Sweden. According to the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, these political prisoners are currently receiving necessary care in Lithuania. Notably, Maria Kolesnikova, another recognized face of the Belarusian opposition, remains imprisoned, as confirmed by her sister.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya initially entered presidential politics in August 2020 when her husband was jailed for attempting to run in an election, which later was perceived as fraudulent. Following the election, she fled the country with her children and has since become a leading figure in the resistance against Lukashenko's prolonged rule, now in its third decade. The political atmosphere in Belarus has seen hundreds of thousands fleeing since the crackdown on protests, with tens of thousands arrested for political dissent, as documented by human rights organization Viasna.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya shared her joy on social media, expressing gratitude towards Donald Trump, Kellogg, and European allies for their roles in securing her husband’s freedom. "My husband ... is free! It's hard to describe the joy in my heart," she posted on X, stressing that the fight is not over with 1,150 political prisoners still incarcerated.
In addition to Tikhanovsky, the released prisoners included five Belarusian nationals as well as individuals from Japan, Poland, and Sweden. According to the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, these political prisoners are currently receiving necessary care in Lithuania. Notably, Maria Kolesnikova, another recognized face of the Belarusian opposition, remains imprisoned, as confirmed by her sister.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya initially entered presidential politics in August 2020 when her husband was jailed for attempting to run in an election, which later was perceived as fraudulent. Following the election, she fled the country with her children and has since become a leading figure in the resistance against Lukashenko's prolonged rule, now in its third decade. The political atmosphere in Belarus has seen hundreds of thousands fleeing since the crackdown on protests, with tens of thousands arrested for political dissent, as documented by human rights organization Viasna.
