TALLINN, Estonia – Belarus has released Sialhai Tshanuski, the husband of Sviatrana Tsikhanouskaya, who is recognized as the main opposition leader now living in exile.
Tsikhanouski, a well-known blogger and activist imprisoned since 2020, arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside 13 other political prisoners, as reported by his wife’s team. This release occurred just hours after Belarusian officials announced a meeting between authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and Keith Kellogg, a representative from then-President Donald Trump.
A video shared on his wife’s official Telegram channel showed Tsikhanouski stepping out of a white minibus, sporting a shaved head and a big smile. He embraced Tsikhanouskaya warmly while supporters cheered around them.
“My husband is free. It’s hard to put into words the joy I feel,” Tsikhanouskaya said to reporters. However, she emphasized that their mission isn’t finished, noting that over 1,100 political prisoners are still incarcerated in Belarus.
Tsikhanouski was jailed after he announced his intention to run against Lukashenko in the 2020 elections. Following his arrest, Tsikhanouskaya stepped in to contest the election, rallying significant public support across the nation. The official results, which granted Lukashenko a sixth term, were widely condemned by both the opposition and international observers as fraudulent.
Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus amid intense pressure from authorities as protests erupted following the election. Later, Tsikhanouski received a lengthy sentence of 19.5 years for allegedly organizing a major riot.
Several prominent dissidents remain in detention in Belarus, including Victor Bavarica, a former banker seen as Lukashenko’s primary rival in 2020, and Maria Colles Nikova, a leading figure in the protests that year.
Another individual released alongside Tsikhanouski is Ihar Karnei, a correspondent from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He previously faced three years in prison on extremism charges that he claimed were falsely imposed.
The Belarusian branch of RFE/RL has been labeled as extremist within the country, a common tactic used against critics of Lukashenko’s regime. This designation made it illegal to work for or distribute its content.
“We are incredibly thankful to President Trump for facilitating the release of this courageous journalist who endured suffering at the hands of Belarusian authorities,” said broadcasting CEO Stephen Capus in a statement on Saturday.
Karnei had been detained multiple times while reporting on the 2020 protests but chose to remain in Belarus despite the oppression faced by journalists there. He was arrested again in July 2023.
Additionally, Belarus has freed an Estonian individual involved in NGOs that support Belarusian refugees. According to Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alan Roio was detained in January and sentenced to six and a half years for forming what was deemed an extremist organization.
