Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of Belarus' prominent opposition leader, made an emotional plea to US President Donald Trump upon his unexpected release from prison. Tikhanovsky, who spent five years in solitary confinement, advocated for the freedom of more than 1,000 political prisoners still incarcerated in Belarus during a recent press conference held in Vilnius, Lithuania. His release coincided with a significant visit by US special envoy Keith Kellogg to Belarus, meeting with the authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Breaking down in tears, Tikhanovsky recounted the inhumane conditions he endured while imprisoned. "For five years, I couldn't even go to confession with a priest. No letters, no calls, no priest, no lawyer," he lamented, describing his experience in an oppressive regime where he frequently felt tortured. Tikhanovsky called on Trump to exercise his influence, stating, "Trump has such power that with one word he could free all political prisoners. I ask him to say that word now."
His wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took up the mantle of leadership during his imprisonment, expressed her joy at his release, though she noted it came with challenges— their daughter barely recognized her father due to his drastic physical transformation in prison. As Tikhanovsky highlighted the regime's brutality against political dissenters, he firmly rejected the notion of his leadership over the opposition, emphasizing respect for his wife's role. "The leader of the opposition is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya… and I don't make any claim to anything," he stated emphatically.
Despite the grim backdrop of his release, Tikhanovsky urged all Belarusians to unite against Lukashenko's oppressive regime, standing as a symbol of resistance. "If you were waiting for a symbol, this is it," he declared. He regretted nothing about his activism, acknowledging that his departure from prison might have saved his life. Since the 2020 protests against Lukashenko, many Belarusians have fled the country, with tens of thousands imprisoned for political reasons as highlighted by human rights organizations.
As the situation in Belarus continues to evolve, Tikhanovsky's plea serves as a poignant reminder of the need for international solidarity in the fight for democracy and human rights.
