Sergei Tikhanovsky, recently released from solitary confinement, implores international support for Belarusian political prisoners while recounting the horrors of his imprisonment.
**Belarusian Activist Appeals to Trump for Political Prisoner Release**
**Belarusian Activist Appeals to Trump for Political Prisoner Release**
In a poignant address, Belarus opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky urges U.S. President Trump to advocate for the release of political prisoners.
Sergei Tikhanovsky, the recently released husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has publicly called on U.S. President Donald Trump to use his influence to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus. Tikhanovsky, who was unexpectedly freed after spending five years in solitary confinement, made his emotional plea during a press conference in Vilnius, Lithuania.
In his first public address since his release, Tikhanovsky, who was imprisoned for 18 years due to politically motivated charges, described the brutal conditions he endured, including complete isolation from the outside world. He pressed for the liberation of more than 1,000 political prisoners still imprisoned in Belarus, emphasizing that their continued detention is a human rights violation.
"You don't even get letters, not a single call," he recounted tearfully, highlighting the stark contrast between his treatment and that of other prisoners. “I couldn't even go to confession with a priest… it’s inhuman.” He further urged President Trump to intervene: “With one word, he could free all political prisoners. I ask him to say that word now.”
His wife, Tikhanovskaya, who emerged as a leading opposition figure in the wake of her husband’s arrest and subsequent elections, expressed her pride in her husband, calling him her "personal hero." She poignantly noted their daughter’s inability to recognize her father due to the drastic changes in his appearance caused by incarceration.
While the U.S. is engaging diplomatically by sending special envoy Keith Kellogg to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko—an event marked as a significant visit—the Tikhanovskys argue that substantive measures, including the lifting of sanctions and the release of political prisoners, are crucial for genuine change in Belarus.
“With my release, I want fellow Belarusians to see me as a symbol for their struggle against repression,” Tikhanovsky stated, emphasizing his support for his wife’s leadership in the opposition movement. He ultimately expressed the necessity for solidarity against the regime of Lukashenko, reinforcing that he is ready to support his wife’s efforts without attempting to reclaim political leadership.
Despite the recent developments, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have fled since protests erupted in 2020. As the regime continues to crack down on dissent, Tikhanovsky's appeal for international assistance underscores the urgent need for global awareness and action.
In his first public address since his release, Tikhanovsky, who was imprisoned for 18 years due to politically motivated charges, described the brutal conditions he endured, including complete isolation from the outside world. He pressed for the liberation of more than 1,000 political prisoners still imprisoned in Belarus, emphasizing that their continued detention is a human rights violation.
"You don't even get letters, not a single call," he recounted tearfully, highlighting the stark contrast between his treatment and that of other prisoners. “I couldn't even go to confession with a priest… it’s inhuman.” He further urged President Trump to intervene: “With one word, he could free all political prisoners. I ask him to say that word now.”
His wife, Tikhanovskaya, who emerged as a leading opposition figure in the wake of her husband’s arrest and subsequent elections, expressed her pride in her husband, calling him her "personal hero." She poignantly noted their daughter’s inability to recognize her father due to the drastic changes in his appearance caused by incarceration.
While the U.S. is engaging diplomatically by sending special envoy Keith Kellogg to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko—an event marked as a significant visit—the Tikhanovskys argue that substantive measures, including the lifting of sanctions and the release of political prisoners, are crucial for genuine change in Belarus.
“With my release, I want fellow Belarusians to see me as a symbol for their struggle against repression,” Tikhanovsky stated, emphasizing his support for his wife’s leadership in the opposition movement. He ultimately expressed the necessity for solidarity against the regime of Lukashenko, reinforcing that he is ready to support his wife’s efforts without attempting to reclaim political leadership.
Despite the recent developments, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have fled since protests erupted in 2020. As the regime continues to crack down on dissent, Tikhanovsky's appeal for international assistance underscores the urgent need for global awareness and action.
