Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has made an emotional plea to former U.S. President Donald Trump to leverage his influence in securing the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. This call comes on the heels of Tikhanovsky's unexpected release from prison on Saturday, where he had endured five years of solitary confinement. He reunited with his wife in Vilnius, Lithuania, amidst the release of thirteen other political exiles.
The timing of the releases coincided with a visit by U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg to Minsk, where he met with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko—the first significant American engagement with the regime in years. During a heartfelt press conference, Tikhanovsky broke down when reflecting on the extreme isolation and harsh conditions he faced, explaining the lack of communication with the outside world throughout his imprisonment. "It's a nightmare," he said, expressing a desperate need for support to free over 1,000 political detainees still languishing behind bars.
Tikhanovsky, who had been jailed in 2021 for his activism during the 2020 presidential elections, called on Trump to make a powerful statement in favor of the oppressed. "With one word, he could free all political prisoners. I ask him to say that word now," Tikhanovsky declared.
He acknowledged the profound impact on his family, noting that his daughter did not recognize him due to his dramatic weight loss and altered appearance. Tikhanovskaya, wiping away her tears, referred to him as her "personal hero," while commenting on the minimal diplomatic concessions Lukashenko had received from the U.S. in exchange for the prisoner releases.
Despite a turbulent past, Tikhanovsky affirmed that he regrets nothing and credits his release with saving his life. He made it clear that he does not intend to claim leadership within the Belarusian opposition, a role that rightfully belongs to his wife. He urged all Belarusians to remain defiant against Lukashenko, asserting, "If you were waiting for a symbol, this is it."
As the political landscape in Belarus remains fraught with tension, Tikhanovsky's release sheds light on the broader struggle for freedom within the country, where countless individuals have faced harsh repression and exile over the last five years.
