News2025.06.21 18:36

Belarus opposition leader ‘safe in Lithuania’ – minister

BNS, RFE/RL, LRT.lt 2025.06.21 18:36

Fourteen Belarusian political prisoners including opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanousky were released from prison and were now "safe in Lithuania", Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys confirmed on X.

Tsikhanouski attempted to run against Lukashenko in an August 2020 election, but was detained before the vote. His wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took over the candidacy for the opposition but was forced to flee immediately following the election, receiving asylum in Lithuania along with thousands of other political exiles.

“Today, 14 political prisoners – including Siarhei Tsikhanousky – who were imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime, have been successfully released. They are now safe in Lithuania and are receiving proper care,” the Lithuanian foreign minister wrote on social media platform X on Saturday.

He noted that the United States had played a key role in securing their release, and called for continued efforts to free the remaining political prisoners.

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“But, this is not the end. Over 1,000 hostages still remain in Belarusian jails. They all must be freed without delay,” Budrys said.

Lukashenko was declared the victor of the election in August 2020, triggering protests by tens of thousands of Belarusians who say the balloting was rigged and that Tsikhanouskaya won.

The demonstrations lasted for months as Belarusians demanded Lukashenko, in power since 1994, step down and hold fresh elections. He refused.

The August 2020 vote was rejected as fraudulent by the opposition and the West, and the country at Lukashenko's direction began to crack down on demonstrators, arresting thousands and pushing most leading opposition figures out of the country.

Several protesters were killed in the violence and rights organizations say there is credible evidence of torture being used against some of those detained.

Lukashenka denies voter fraud and refused to negotiate with the opposition led by Tsikhanouskaya.

The European Union, United States, Canada, and other countries have refused to recognise Lukashenko as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have slapped him and senior Belarusian officials with sanctions in response to the “falsification” of the vote and the postelection crackdown

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