Mass release of political prisoners in Belarus: Tikhanovsky, journalists and teachers released

Belarus has unexpectedly released 14 political prisoners, including Serhiy Tikhanovsky, known as one of the leaders of the 2020 protests. This event occurred as a result of a visit to Minsk by Keith Kellogg, the US President’s special representative.

Kellogg’s deputy, John Cole, emphasized on his platform that the 14 people were released thanks to President Trump’s initiatives. He also thanked the Lithuanian government for its support in this process.

Serhiy Tikhanovsky, who was imprisoned for over five years, became a symbol of the Belarusian opposition after his arrest, and his wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, continued the fight for democratic change in the country. The Belarusian publication Nasha Niva confirmed the information about Tikhanovsky’s release and showed a video with him.

Among the other released, 21-year-old Kirill Balakhonov received 3.5 years in prison for participating in a chat room recognized as extremist in Belarus. Also released was 69-year-old Halyna Krasnyanska, who has Swedish and Belarusian citizenship. Her name has repeatedly appeared in cases related to activists.

Associate professor Natalia Dulina from Minsk Linguistic University and journalist Igor Karney were released together with them. Businessman Serhiy Sheleg, who spent 8.5 years in prison due to financial support from foundations that help the repressed and Ukrainian volunteers, was also released.

Svitlana Tikhanovskaya met with the released people at the US Embassy in Vilnius and expressed support: “You are free. I know it isn’t easy to get used to this. And then – who feels strong in themselves – we join because there are thousands more people there.”

This event was the result of the problematic political situation in Belarus and international pressure.