Belarus releases political prisoners. Among them Siarhi Cichanouski and Poles

After years behind bars, they regained their freedom. Among the 14 political prisoners released by the Belarusian authorities on Saturday 21 June, there were 3 Poles and Siarhi Cichanouski – the husband of the oppositionist Swiatlana Cichanouska. According to the media, this is the consequence of talks with Keith Kellog, a peculiar envoy of the U.S. president who met with Alaxandr Lukashenko.


"My husband Siarhi is free! It is truly hard to describe the joy that I feel in my heart," Swiatlana Cichanouska wrote on social media. According to a spokesperson for the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Siarhi Cichanouski is presently in Vilnius, as were the others released.

In total, Belarus left 14 political prisoners – 5 Belarusians, 3 Poles, 2 Japanese, 2 Latvians, Estonians and Swedes.

Belarus releases 14 political prisoners. Among them Cichanouski and 3 Poles

Information about the release of Cichanouski was confirmed by the agency Reuters. As the Nash Niva portal points out, this is simply a possible effect of General Keith Kellog's Saturday visit to Minsk. U.S. president Donald Trump's envoy met with Alexander Lukashenko at the Palace of independency there. According to the Belarusian state media, the president of Belarus commented on the visit with the words, "You have made sound in the world."

– I hope our conversation is very honest and open. Otherwise, what's the point of the meeting? If we are cunning and clever, we will not scope an agreement," Lukashenko said. Kellog himself pointed out that "we live in a very dangerous time erstwhile the crises we face can escalate rapidly, grow if we are not wise and just."

Swiatlana Cichanouska thanked American and EU partners, especially Donald Trump and Keith Kellog. "We're not done yet. 1150 political prisoners are inactive behind bars. Everyone must be freed," she stressed.

The head of the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs Radosław Sikorski besides referred to the case. "Free planet needs you, Siarhi! My most sincere joy is with you, the Light, your full family. Seeing you together again, we show why years of fighting for freedom matter. We will proceed to search the release of the rest, including Andrzej Pochobut" – he wrote on X.

"Thank you, Keith Kellog, for ensuring the safe release of 14 political prisoners in Belarus," added the Minister.

Who's Siarhi Cichanouski?

Let us remind that Siarhei Cichanouski, a popular blogger and opposition activist, was arrested in 2020 after announcing plans to run against the authoritarian leader of Belarus Alaxandrov Lukashenko in the presidential election. Cichanouska then replaced him in the fight against the dictator.

However, the authoritative election results gave Lukashka a sixth term, but were condemned by the opposition and identified the West as falsified. In the face of unprecedented protests that broke out after the vote, Cichanouska left the country under force from the authorities. Her husband was later sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison on charges of organizing mass riots. The couple has 2 children.