Freed Belarus opposition figure urges Trump to help release all prisoners
A tearful and emaciated Tikhanovsky spoke to reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius a day after he was released from several years of prison with more than a dozen others.
"President Trump now has the power and opportunity to free all political prisoners in Belarus with a single word, and I ask him to do so, to say that word," Tikhanovsky said.
The eastern European country still holds more than 1,000 political prisoners in its jails, according to Belarusian human rights group Viasna.
Tikhanovsky said he hoped to return to Belarus "but when, I don't know yet".
"You have to understand, I spent more than five years alone in a solitary cell," he said.
"I was completely isolated. I have very little information and now I need to find out a lot of things."
Tikhanovsky was joined at the news conference by his wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took the mantle of the opposition movement after he was jailed.
"The leader of the opposition is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, my wife. And I am not going to challenge that," Tikhanovsky said.
'Incredibly emotional'
The prisoner release on Saturday came just hours after US special envoy Keith Kellogg met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, the highest-profile US visit in years.
Tikhanovsky, 46, had been imprisoned for more than five years.
The popular YouTuber had planned to run against Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election, but was arrested and detained weeks before the vote.
A charismatic activist, Tikhanovsky drew the ire of authorities for his campaign slogan, "Stop the cockroach", a reference to Lukashenko.
He was sentenced in 2021 to 18 years in prison for "organising riots" and "inciting hatred", then to another 18 months for "insubordination".
Tikhanovskaya -- a political novice at the time of her husband's arrest -- ran against Lukashenko in his place but lost after what the opposition described as widespread falsification. She later fled Belarus.
Lukashenko claimed a record seventh term in elections earlier this year that observers dismissed as a farce.
Tikhanovskaya, who has been living in exile in Lithuania, said Sunday "it was incredibly emotional for me to see finally my husband after long five years".
"He is alive and we together again and remain committed to our fight," she told reporters, before thanking Trump and his administration for their "tireless efforts".
'Difficult conditions'
Lithuania shelters tens of thousands of Belarusians, many of whom moved there as Minsk clamped down on dissent in the 2020 presidential vote's aftermath.
The Baltic state is also a hub for some Russian opposition figures, including Leonid Volkov, an ally of the late Alexei Navalny.
Among the 13 others freed Saturday were Radio Liberty journalist Igor Karnei, arrested in 2023 and jailed for participating in an "extremist" organisation.
Lithuania said the released prisoners were now receiving "proper care" in the Baltic state.
Though none needed emergency medical assistance, "one of them needed emergency medical attention" as "they were imprisoned in difficult conditions", Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said.
"They should all be released immediately and unconditionally. Their place was never in prison," said the statement by rapporteurs of the group's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).
Belarus, ruled by Lukashenko since 1994, has outlawed all genuine opposition parties. It is the only European country to retain the death penalty as a punishment.
Lukashenko's spokeswoman said the Belarusian leader had ordered the release of the prisoners on Trump's "request", Russian state media reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
8 hours ago
- LeMonde
Macron urges Iran's president to 'exercise utmost restraint'
President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, June 22, urged Tehran to de-escalate and "exercise the utmost restraint" after US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in a call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian. "I called for de-escalation and for Iran to exercise the utmost restraint in this dangerous context to allow a return to the diplomatic path," Macron posted on X. He said he also told Iran to "renounce nuclear weapons," warning of "the risk of the worst for the entire region." It is "the only path that leads to peace and security for all," Macron said. On Sunday, Macron also spoke with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Together with European partners, France has advocated a diplomatic solution to end the conflict between Israel and Iran. Macron had said Saturday that France and its European partners planned to step up talks with Iran. Earlier Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed "concern" over the US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and urged "restraint." Macron will convene a meeting of France's defence and national security council on Sunday evening, the presidency said. On Friday, British, French, German and EU diplomats held talks in Geneva with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a week after Israel started its bombardment of Iranian sites. They urged Iran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme.
France 24
8 hours ago
- France 24
Freed Belarus opposition figure urges Trump to help release all prisoners
A tearful and emaciated Tikhanovsky spoke to reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius a day after he was released from several years of prison with more than a dozen others. "President Trump now has the power and opportunity to free all political prisoners in Belarus with a single word, and I ask him to do so, to say that word," Tikhanovsky said. The eastern European country still holds more than 1,000 political prisoners in its jails, according to Belarusian human rights group Viasna. Tikhanovsky said he hoped to return to Belarus "but when, I don't know yet". "You have to understand, I spent more than five years alone in a solitary cell," he said. "I was completely isolated. I have very little information and now I need to find out a lot of things." Tikhanovsky was joined at the news conference by his wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took the mantle of the opposition movement after he was jailed. "The leader of the opposition is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, my wife. And I am not going to challenge that," Tikhanovsky said. 'Incredibly emotional' The prisoner release on Saturday came just hours after US special envoy Keith Kellogg met Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, the highest-profile US visit in years. Tikhanovsky, 46, had been imprisoned for more than five years. The popular YouTuber had planned to run against Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election, but was arrested and detained weeks before the vote. A charismatic activist, Tikhanovsky drew the ire of authorities for his campaign slogan, "Stop the cockroach", a reference to Lukashenko. He was sentenced in 2021 to 18 years in prison for "organising riots" and "inciting hatred", then to another 18 months for "insubordination". Tikhanovskaya -- a political novice at the time of her husband's arrest -- ran against Lukashenko in his place but lost after what the opposition described as widespread falsification. She later fled Belarus. Lukashenko claimed a record seventh term in elections earlier this year that observers dismissed as a farce. Tikhanovskaya, who has been living in exile in Lithuania, said Sunday "it was incredibly emotional for me to see finally my husband after long five years". "He is alive and we together again and remain committed to our fight," she told reporters, before thanking Trump and his administration for their "tireless efforts". 'Difficult conditions' Lithuania shelters tens of thousands of Belarusians, many of whom moved there as Minsk clamped down on dissent in the 2020 presidential vote's aftermath. The Baltic state is also a hub for some Russian opposition figures, including Leonid Volkov, an ally of the late Alexei Navalny. Among the 13 others freed Saturday were Radio Liberty journalist Igor Karnei, arrested in 2023 and jailed for participating in an "extremist" organisation. Lithuania said the released prisoners were now receiving "proper care" in the Baltic state. Though none needed emergency medical assistance, "one of them needed emergency medical attention" as "they were imprisoned in difficult conditions", Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said. "They should all be released immediately and unconditionally. Their place was never in prison," said the statement by rapporteurs of the group's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). Belarus, ruled by Lukashenko since 1994, has outlawed all genuine opposition parties. It is the only European country to retain the death penalty as a punishment. Lukashenko's spokeswoman said the Belarusian leader had ordered the release of the prisoners on Trump's "request", Russian state media reported.
Euronews
11 hours ago
- Euronews
Europe's leaders call for talks, but Iran says diplomacy's been blown
European leaders responded variously with caution and concern to news of the massive US air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but they all called for a return to the negotiating table, despite Iran claiming that diplomatic solutions have now been shot away. Almost all European and EU leaders issued statements on social media X combining warnings that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, with an entreaty that the country submits to a diplomatic negotiated settlement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the chorus stating that "Iran must never acquire the bomb", but calling for a diplomatic solution. "With tensions in the Middle East at a new peak, stability must be the priority. And respect for international law is critical. Now is the moment for Iran to engage in a credible diplomatic solution,' von der Leyen wrote, adding: 'The negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis.' "Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security," the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas chimed in. "I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas said in a post, flagging that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow. Antonio Costa - deep alarm at situation EU Council President Antonio Costa registered deep alarm with the news arriving from the Middle East, in a post on X. "I call on all parties to show restraint and respect for international law and nuclear safety," the Council president posted, adding: "Diplomacy remains the only way to bring peace and security to the Middle East region. Too many civilians will once again be the victims of a further escalation." "The EU will continue engaging with the parties and our partners to find a peaceful solution at the negotiating table," he wrote. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called a meeting of the country's security cabinet and urged Iran "to immediately start negotiations with the US and Israel and come to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict", according to his spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a similar response: neither fully supportive nor remotely critical of the US action. "The strikes against Iran's nuclear programme are of exceptional scale," Finland's President Alexander Stubb observed. "For Finland, it is important that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and that no new nuclear weapon states emerge in the world," Stubb wrote, adding: "The spiral of vengeance in the Middle East must come to an end. A sustainable solution requires diplomacy, dialogue and respect for the international law. We will closely monitor the situation and continue discussions with our partners and allies." Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni is following the crisis in Iran with the utmost attention and staged a videoconference this morning with relevant ministers and the country's top intelligence officials, Italian news agency ANSA reported, citing Palazzo Chigi sources. The Prime Minister will be in contact with key allies and leaders in the region in the coming hours, according to the report, which added that Italy "will continue its efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table". Note of detached caution from France France's minister of foreign affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, adopted a slightly less supportive tone of the US airstrikes stating in a post on X that France had taken note 'with great concern' of the US strikes but 'it didn't participate either in those strikes or in their planning.' Barrot called for 'all parties' to show restraint and avoid any 'escalation' of the conflict and insisted that a 'lasting solution' would need to be negotiated in the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. French President Emmanuel Macron did not issue a public reaction to developments on Sunday morning. However the chorus of demand for a return to diplomacy seems unlikely to be answered by Tehran, at least in the short term. Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X saying that "Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy." "This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy." Addressing Keir Starmer and Kaja Kallas directly, Araghchi asked 'What conclusion would you draw?' "To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must "return" to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?" While EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels tomorrow, Araghchi will be in Moscow breaking bread with Vladimir Putin, a bad omen for those European leaders seeking a diplomatic exit from the current situation.
