Husband of Belarusian opposition leader is among political prisoners released by Lukashenka

June 24, 2025

Belarusian opposition figure and former presidential candidate Syarhey Tsikhanouski was unexpectedly released from prison on June 21, 2025, after being jailed for five years by Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime. According to Lithuania's foreign minister, a total of 14 political prisoners were released and are now receiving care in Lithuania, including five Belarusian political prisoners and one with dual citizenship. The release was reportedly the result of extensive diplomatic engagement led by the United States, with Tsikhanouski and others being pardoned by Lukashenka at the request of the US president on humanitarian grounds.

Who is affected

Syarhey Tsikhanouski and six other named political prisoners who were released
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Tsikhanouski's wife and current Belarus opposition leader)
Other political prisoners who remain detained in Belarus
The Belarusian opposition movement
The families of those released
The Belarusian regime led by Alyaksandr Lukashenka

What action is being taken

Political prisoners are being released and receiving care in Lithuania
The United States is engaging in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of political prisoners
Lukashenka is pardoning selected political prisoners on humanitarian grounds
Tsikhanouskaya's office is maintaining regular dialogue with the US State Department and embassy officials
The democratic opposition continues to advocate for the release of all political prisoners

Why it matters

This represents the first major release of high-profile political prisoners detained after the contested 2020 Belarusian election
Tsikhanouski's release is symbolic for the opposition movement as he was a prominent figure whose detention prevented his presidential candidacy
The release demonstrates some success in international diplomatic pressure on the Lukashenka regime
It reunites families separated by political imprisonment
The release shows that international visibility can influence which prisoners the regime chooses to free

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article, although Tsikhanouski mentioned he has "a lot of plans" and may resume his media work, while also stating he doesn't intend to get involved in the activities of Tsikhanouskaya's office.

Read full article from source: Global Voices