Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, several other prisoners released

June 21, Pozirk. Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, husband of Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, has been released from prison shortly after Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, met Alaksandar Łukašenka in Minsk.
Cichanoŭskaja’s press office has already posted photos from their meeting in Vilnius, noting that 14 high-profile designated political prisoners were freed.
These include former Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Karniej, prominent linguist Natalla Dulina, anarchist activist Akichira Hajeŭski-Chanada and Halina Kraśnianskaja, who has Belarusian and Swedish citizenships.
Police arrested presidential hopeful Siarhiej Cichanoŭski two months before the 2020 election, as his sharp-edged campaign was gaining momentum and threatening to sweep Łukašenka from power.
In late 2021, he was given 18 years in prison on a number of criminal charges, including organizing mass riots, inciting hatred and interfering in elections. Two years later, authorities added 18 months to his term for alleged misbehavior. Rights groups consider his persecution to be politically motivated.
Cichanoŭski was held incommunicado since early March 2023.
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja discusses political prisoners with French foreign ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarusian police accused of torturing former Afghan officerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsPoczobut held in penal colony’s isolation wing amid health declineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityUkraine to try Volyn resident for sharing info with Belarus’ secret serviceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: Belarus gains unprecedented attention in French foreign policyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSenators approve Belarusian-Russian deal against prosecution abroadThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka, Putin discuss regional situationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Security
- Economy
- SocietyHome tattoo turns fatal for Maładziečna womanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics
- EconomyBelarusians net sellers of foreign currency in January-SeptemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuania scaling back security for Cichanoŭskaja – reportsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityOfficials holding four-day mobilization drill across BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Wargaming co-founder given lengthy prison term in absentiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityPoland, Latvia see sharp rise in illegal entries compared with early October 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus, Oman sign memorandum on pulp and cardboard millThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEU delegation calls for all regime prisoners to be freedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus, Oman sign visa waiver agreementThe material is available only to POZIRK+