Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has issued a heartfelt plea to US President Donald Trump, imploring him to leverage his influence to secure the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. Tikhanovsky was unexpectedly released from prison and reunited with his wife in Lithuania, alongside the release of thirteen other political prisoners, who were also forced into exile.
This significant development occurred while US special envoy Keith Kellogg was in Minsk, meeting Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, marking the first high-profile American visit to Belarus in years. During a poignant press conference shortly after his release, Tikhanovsky expressed his anguish over five years of solitary confinement, calling for freedom for over 1,000 political prisoners still incarcerated.
After being arrested in 2020 while preparing to run against Lukashenko in presidential elections, Tikhanovsky was sentenced to 18 years in prison on politically motivated charges following mass protests. Describing his harrowing prison conditions, he recalled being completely isolated, devoid of any communication with the outside world, including legal counsel and even basic necessities like soap.
In his emotional address, Tikhanovsky underscored the harshness of his treatment, likening it to torture while emphasizing the disparity of treatment received by violent offenders in prison. "How can they do that? We have rights," he lamented. His appeal to Trump highlighted the substantial power the US president possesses, suggesting a simple statement could catalyze the release of political prisoners.
His wife, Tikhanovskaya, emotionally supported his plea, noting that their daughter barely recognized her father due to his drastic physical change during imprisonment. She also remarked on Lukashenko's diplomatic gains from the US visit, stressing that more than just a visit, Belarus needs an end to US sanctions.
Before his arrest, Tikhanovsky was a vibrant public figure and a popular voice against the Lukashenko regime. Following his imprisonment, Tikhanovskaya stepped into the political spotlight, running against Lukashenko and facing her own challenges, ultimately leading to her exile amidst escalating protests and repression.
Clarifying his position, Tikhanovsky stated that he does not seek to lead the opposition but instead encourages all Belarusians to unite against Lukashenko's oppressive regime. He expressed fear that had he remained imprisoned, his life would have been at serious risk, highlighting the plight of numerous Belarusians who have faced arrest over the last five years.
