Starmer welcomes release of Belarusian opposition leader's husband
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was jailed in 2020 after announcing plans to challenge Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
The Prime Minister said his release was a reminder that 'democratic values cannot be silenced'.
This is wonderful news and a moment of hope. The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced. https://t.co/T2yCYixFSN
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 21, 2025
The release of Mr Tsikhanouski and 13 other prisoners came just hours after the Belarusian authorities announced that the country's authoritarian president had met US President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk.
Mr Tsikhanouski was imprisoned after announcing plans to challenge Mr Lukashenko in the 2020 election.
Following his arrest, his wife ran instead, rallying large crowds in her support across the country.
In response to his release, Sir Keir said: 'This is wonderful news and a moment of hope.
'The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced.'
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Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
Belarus opposition couple to keep fighting for release of political prisoners
VILNIUS, June 22 (Reuters) - A leading Belarusian opposition figure freed from prison by President Alexander Lukashenko said on Sunday his wife would continue to lead the exiled movement, and urged supporters to keep fighting for change and the release of political prisoners. In a U.S.-brokered deal, Siarhei Tsikhanouski was pardoned by Lukashenko on Saturday after more than five years behind bars and driven across the border to Lithuania for a reunion with his wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. "He's alive, thank God we are together, and together we continue our fight for our homeland and the freedom of the rest of the political prisoners," Tsikhanouskaya told a press conference in Vilnius on Sunday. "I want to thank (U.S. President Donald) Trump and his administration. Without their help, this moment would have been impossible," she said. Lithuania said on Saturday 13 other prisoners had also been released after talks between Lukashenko and U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg, in the most significant move so far by Lukashenko to try to ease his isolation from the West. Tsikhanouski, 46, a video blogger who was arrested in 2020 when planning to run against Lukashenko for the presidency, called on Belarusians to carry on fighting against the president. "I want to tell all Belarusians: if you were waiting for a sign, here it is," he said, raising a fist. But Tsikhanouski added that he would not seek to become leader of the exiled movement following his release. "The leader of the opposition is Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, my wife," he said, breaking into tears as he described how their young daughter had not recognised him when they were reunited on Saturday. "Now (the children) are getting used to the feeling that their father is here again," Tsikhanouskaya said.
South Wales Guardian
17 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer welcomes release of Belarusian opposition leader's husband
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was jailed in 2020 after announcing plans to challenge Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Prime Minister said his release was a reminder that 'democratic values cannot be silenced'. This is wonderful news and a moment of hope. The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 21, 2025 The release of Mr Tsikhanouski and 13 other prisoners came just hours after the Belarusian authorities announced that the country's authoritarian president had met US President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk. Mr Tsikhanouski was imprisoned after announcing plans to challenge Mr Lukashenko in the 2020 election. Following his arrest, his wife ran instead, rallying large crowds in her support across the country. In response to his release, Sir Keir said: 'This is wonderful news and a moment of hope. 'The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced.'
Leader Live
20 hours ago
- Leader Live
Starmer welcomes release of Belarusian opposition leader's husband
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was jailed in 2020 after announcing plans to challenge Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Prime Minister said his release was a reminder that 'democratic values cannot be silenced'. This is wonderful news and a moment of hope. The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 21, 2025 The release of Mr Tsikhanouski and 13 other prisoners came just hours after the Belarusian authorities announced that the country's authoritarian president had met US President Donald Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk. Mr Tsikhanouski was imprisoned after announcing plans to challenge Mr Lukashenko in the 2020 election. Following his arrest, his wife ran instead, rallying large crowds in her support across the country. In response to his release, Sir Keir said: 'This is wonderful news and a moment of hope. 'The release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski is a reminder that democratic values cannot be silenced.'
