President Alexander Lukashenko released Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a prominent Belarusian opposition figure imprisoned for over five years, in a significant US-mediated prisoner exchange, according to Reuters.
The 46-year-old blogger was reunited with his wife, opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, at the Lithuanian border on Saturday. Video footage showed Tsikhanouski emerging with a shaven head before embracing his wife in a prolonged hug.
Thirteen other prisoners were simultaneously freed and transported to Lithuania, including five Belarusians alongside citizens of Poland, Latvia, Japan, Estonia and Sweden. The releases followed a 6.5-hour dinner negotiation between Lukashenko and US special envoy Keith Kellogg.
Lukashenko’s spokeswoman Natalya Eismont confirmed the pardons responded to “a US request,” claiming Tsikhanouski’s release stemmed from “strictly humanitarian considerations with the aim of family reunification.” The freed Belarusians had been “convicted of extremist and terrorist activity,” according to the government.
The talks reportedly covered Ukraine, Middle East tensions, Russia-Belarus-China relations, and sanctions policy. “The subjects discussed were as current as can be imagined,” Eismont noted, adding discussions lasted until night.
Freed prisoners were reportedly handcuffed and transported without explanation before their border crossing. Upon reaching Lithuania, they visited the US embassy where they “ate pizza and drank coke,” receiving mobile phones to contact families after years of isolation. Among those released was Ihar Karnei, a former Radio Free Europe journalist.
European leaders welcomed the releases. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “fantastic news and a powerful symbol of hope.”
Tsikhanouski was arrested in 2020 whilst preparing to challenge Lukashenko’s presidency. His wife ran in his place, sparking mass protests after election results. He later received a 19.5-year sentence for “organising mass unrest.”
The development comes amid Lukashenko’s gradual release of over 300 prisoners in the past year, a move analysts interpret as a bid to strengthen relations with European countries and the United States.
