Sergei Tikhanovsky, husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has made an emotional appeal to US President Donald Trump to leverage his influence for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus following his own surprising release from prison.
Husband of Belarusian Opposition Leader Calls on Trump for Political Prisoner Release
Husband of Belarusian Opposition Leader Calls on Trump for Political Prisoner Release
Sergei Tikhanovsky, recently freed from prison, urges US President Trump to advocate for the release of political prisoners in Belarus.
Tikhanovsky was unexpectedly liberated from solitary confinement after five years and was united with his wife in Lithuania, alongside the release of thirteen other political detainees who were subsequently exiled. His release coincided with a visit from US special envoy Keith Kellogg to Minsk, marking a significant American diplomatic engagement with Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko.
During a heartfelt press conference the day after his release, Tikhanovsky expressed the trauma he endured during his time in prison, highlighting the inhumane conditions and emotional toll of being isolated from the world. In a heartbreaking recount of his experiences, he lamented, "It's a nightmare... you ask about torture. Is that not torture?" He underscored the dire situation of the estimated 1,000 political prisoners who remain incarcerated, saying, "We have rights. It’s inhuman. They have to stop this. We have to get people out."
Tikhanovsky urged Trump to advocate for the release of these prisoners, emphasizing his belief in the president's power to effect change with a simple statement. "Trump has such power and such possibilities, that with one word he could free all political prisoners," he stated.
In the wake of his release, Tikhanovskaya shared the painful impact on their family, revealing how their daughter did not recognize her father due to the drastic changes he underwent during imprisonment. Tikhanovskaya expressed her admiration for Tikhanovsky, dubbing him her “personal hero” and highlighting the dire state of Belarusian political prisoners amid Lukashenko’s ongoing repression.
Despite Tikhanovsky’s return, he clarified that he did not wish to reclaim leadership roles within the opposition, affirming his support for his wife as the leader of their movement. His release has been viewed as a critical moment for the Belarusian opposition, bringing renewed hope to those resisting Lukashenko's regime.
As Tikhanovsky called for solidarity among Belarusians, he firmly stated, "If you were waiting for a symbol, this is it," encouraging citizens to stand resilient against oppression. He also noted that his release potentially saved his life, given the appalling conditions in which he had been confined.
The political landscape in Belarus remains troubled, with hundreds of thousands having fled the country following the harsh crackdowns on opposition protests that erupted after the disputed 2020 elections. The international community continues to grapple with the implications of Lukashenko’s regime and broader concerns about human rights abuses in Belarus.
During a heartfelt press conference the day after his release, Tikhanovsky expressed the trauma he endured during his time in prison, highlighting the inhumane conditions and emotional toll of being isolated from the world. In a heartbreaking recount of his experiences, he lamented, "It's a nightmare... you ask about torture. Is that not torture?" He underscored the dire situation of the estimated 1,000 political prisoners who remain incarcerated, saying, "We have rights. It’s inhuman. They have to stop this. We have to get people out."
Tikhanovsky urged Trump to advocate for the release of these prisoners, emphasizing his belief in the president's power to effect change with a simple statement. "Trump has such power and such possibilities, that with one word he could free all political prisoners," he stated.
In the wake of his release, Tikhanovskaya shared the painful impact on their family, revealing how their daughter did not recognize her father due to the drastic changes he underwent during imprisonment. Tikhanovskaya expressed her admiration for Tikhanovsky, dubbing him her “personal hero” and highlighting the dire state of Belarusian political prisoners amid Lukashenko’s ongoing repression.
Despite Tikhanovsky’s return, he clarified that he did not wish to reclaim leadership roles within the opposition, affirming his support for his wife as the leader of their movement. His release has been viewed as a critical moment for the Belarusian opposition, bringing renewed hope to those resisting Lukashenko's regime.
As Tikhanovsky called for solidarity among Belarusians, he firmly stated, "If you were waiting for a symbol, this is it," encouraging citizens to stand resilient against oppression. He also noted that his release potentially saved his life, given the appalling conditions in which he had been confined.
The political landscape in Belarus remains troubled, with hundreds of thousands having fled the country following the harsh crackdowns on opposition protests that erupted after the disputed 2020 elections. The international community continues to grapple with the implications of Lukashenko’s regime and broader concerns about human rights abuses in Belarus.
