Europe EditionBelarus opposition leader released from jail in US-brokered deal
- Belarusian opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was released from prison on June 21, 2025, in a US-brokered deal that freed 14 political prisoners.
- Tsikhanouski had been imprisoned since 2021, serving an 18-year sentence for organising riots and inciting hatred, plus 18 months for insubordination.
- After his pardon and release, Tsikhanouski moved to Vilnius, Lithuania, while his wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, remains active in campaigning for the release of the 1,150 political prisoners still detained.
- Tsikhanouskaya shared a video of Tsikhanouski smiling with the caption "FREE" and thanked US President Donald Trump, envoy Keith Kellogg, and European allies for their help.
- The release signals a possible easing of tensions by Lukashenka's regime ahead of the January 2025 presidential elections, although over 1,100 political prisoners remain detained amid ongoing repression.
222 Articles
222 Articles
Belarus bargains for relevance, and Washington plays along
In a surprising turn of diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, met with Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on June 21,and 14 political prisoners were subsequently set free from Belarussian prison.
US secures release of Belarusian prisoners but pressure must continue
The release of fourteen prominent Belarusian political prisoners last weekend is welcome news. But the 1172 who remain behind bars in Belarus deserve more than symbolic gestures from the West, writes Hanna Liubakova.
Silent sisters: How Belarusian women turned prison into the frontline of resistance against Lukashenka’s regime
Alexander Lukashenka's regime is instrumentalising women while brutally putting down their protests. Meanwhile, the independent Belarusian media has been documenting a quiet feminist resistance that emerged inside prisons.
Husband of Belarusian opposition leader is among political prisoners released by Lukashenka
Syarhey Tsikhanouski was one of the 14 political prisoners released by the regime Originally published on Global VoicesSyarhey Tsikhanouski's press conference. Screenshot of the YouTube video from TV Rain YouTube channel. Fair use. On June 21, 2025, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, the prominent Belarusian opposition figure and 2020 presidential hopeful, was unexpectedly released from prison, five years after being jailed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime…
Belarus: Freedom House Welcomes Release of Political Prisoners, Calls for Release of All Still Behind Bars
Belarus: Freedom House Welcomes Release of Political Prisoners, Calls for Release of All Still Behind Bars Maryam Mon, 06/23/2025 - 15:46 Type Press release Page blocks WASHINGTON—In light of the recent release of 14 political prisoners in Belarus as part of a US-negotiated agreement—including Belarusian democracy advocate Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Ihar Karnei, and citizens of Estonia, Japan, La…
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