**After being released from five years in solitary confinement, Tikhanovsky calls for increased international pressure on Belarusian authorities.**
**Belarusian Opposition Leader's Husband Appeals to Trump for Political Prisoners' Freedom**
**Belarusian Opposition Leader's Husband Appeals to Trump for Political Prisoners' Freedom**
**Sergei Tikhanovsky urges the U.S. President to use his influence for the release of political prisoners in Belarus.**
Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, made an emotional plea to U.S. President Donald Trump, asking him to "just say the word" to advocate for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. Tikhanovsky's unexpected release on Saturday, along with thirteen other political prisoners who were forced into exile, has raised hopes for further action against President Alexander Lukashenko's regime. This release coincides with a rare visit from the U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg to Minsk, marking a significant diplomatic moment.
At a press conference following his release, Tikhanovsky, visibly shaken, detailed his harrowing experience of five years in solitary confinement where he experienced extreme isolation and lack of basic provisions. "You don't even get letters... not a single call," he lamented, shedding tears as he recounted his suffering. He called for international assistance, emphasizing the plight of over 1,000 political prisoners still incarcerated, stating, "We have rights. It's inhuman. They have to stop this."
His wife, Tikhanovskaya, who has emerged as a driving force for the opposition after his imprisonment, described her husband as her "personal hero" and pointed out that their daughter barely recognized him due to his drastic physical changes during his incarceration. While Lukashenko may view the U.S. envoy's visit as a diplomatic win, Tikhanovsky insisted that real progress would require lifting U.S. sanctions against Belarus.
Prior to his arrest in 2020, Tikhanovsky was a prominent activist, known for his vibrant social media presence and public engagements throughout Belarus. After his imprisonment, Tikhanovskaya took up the mantle to run for president, rallying support in a contest marked by widespread protests against alleged electoral fraud. These protests were met with severe crackdowns, leading to numerous arrests and an exodus of thousands of citizens from Belarus.
Tikhanovsky made it clear at the conference that his wife remains the legitimate leader of the opposition, stating, "I don’t make any claim to anything," while signaling his determination to stand with the Belarusian people against the regime.
Reflecting on his release, he expressed gratitude, acknowledging that his survival in prison under harsh conditions would have been unlikely, and he urged remaining prisoners to hold on to hope. With the continued political turmoil in Belarus, the international community's involvement remains crucial for the future of its political prisoners and opposition figures.
At a press conference following his release, Tikhanovsky, visibly shaken, detailed his harrowing experience of five years in solitary confinement where he experienced extreme isolation and lack of basic provisions. "You don't even get letters... not a single call," he lamented, shedding tears as he recounted his suffering. He called for international assistance, emphasizing the plight of over 1,000 political prisoners still incarcerated, stating, "We have rights. It's inhuman. They have to stop this."
His wife, Tikhanovskaya, who has emerged as a driving force for the opposition after his imprisonment, described her husband as her "personal hero" and pointed out that their daughter barely recognized him due to his drastic physical changes during his incarceration. While Lukashenko may view the U.S. envoy's visit as a diplomatic win, Tikhanovsky insisted that real progress would require lifting U.S. sanctions against Belarus.
Prior to his arrest in 2020, Tikhanovsky was a prominent activist, known for his vibrant social media presence and public engagements throughout Belarus. After his imprisonment, Tikhanovskaya took up the mantle to run for president, rallying support in a contest marked by widespread protests against alleged electoral fraud. These protests were met with severe crackdowns, leading to numerous arrests and an exodus of thousands of citizens from Belarus.
Tikhanovsky made it clear at the conference that his wife remains the legitimate leader of the opposition, stating, "I don’t make any claim to anything," while signaling his determination to stand with the Belarusian people against the regime.
Reflecting on his release, he expressed gratitude, acknowledging that his survival in prison under harsh conditions would have been unlikely, and he urged remaining prisoners to hold on to hope. With the continued political turmoil in Belarus, the international community's involvement remains crucial for the future of its political prisoners and opposition figures.
