Sergei Tikhanovsky has emerged from more than five years of imprisonment in Belarus and is determined to share his story of resilience. After spending that time in solitary confinement for opposing the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, he has not only experienced substantial physical changes—losing nearly 60 kilograms (132 pounds)—but has also retained a strong spirit.
In his first interviews after gaining freedom in Vilnius, Sergei mentioned the psychological toll of confinement—especially the absence of communication. "The hardest thing was the restriction on speaking," he shared, reflecting on the long months with no contact from the outside world, apart from isolation cells that felt like purgatory. Freedom came unexpectedly after an American delegation visited Belarus, resulting in the release of 14 prisoners, including Tikhanovsky.
Upon reuniting with his family, emotions poured out, particularly when he saw his daughter, who barely recognized him due to his drastic weight loss. "Then she threw herself into my arms," he recalled. "That moment was everything." Once a public figure advocating for democracy through candid YouTube interviews, Sergei now finds himself in enforced exile, hoping to use his experience to rally support for other political prisoners—more than a thousand still languishing in various prisons across Belarus.
Inside the grim confines of his jail cell, he endured inhumane conditions, including lengthy periods in punishment cells for minor alleged infractions. For Sergei, mental survival relied on detaching from thoughts of his family and friends—an exercise in sheer willpower. "If you think about how they are and what's happening to them, you won't survive," he stated.
As he embarks on a new chapter in Lithuania, taking time to reconnect with loved ones and catch up on world events, Sergei remains steadfast in pursuit of justice for his fellow dissidents. "I want to see them all freed," he expressed. His wife, Svetlana, now a prominent figure in the Belarusian opposition after taking his place in an election, shares his concern about ongoing repression in Belarus. "For 14 people released, 28 more were detained immediately," she lamented, underscoring the continued plight of political dissenters in their homeland.
In a whirlwind of political meetings and public speeches, Sergei’s first week has been anything but quiet. However, he emphasizes a need to distance himself from the political ambitions that once characterized their relationship, insisting that his primary goal is to promote democracy and freedom for all Belarusians. As he continues to advocate for change, Sergei Tikhanovsky embodies not only the struggle for Belarusian democracy, but also the spirit of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
