Sergei Tikhanovsky has emerged from over five years of solitary confinement in a Belarusian prison, marked by significant physical and emotional suffering yet declaring that his spirit remains unbroken. Recognized internationally as a principal opposition figure, Tikhanovsky’s arrest in 2020 came as he sought to challenge the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko.
In an emotional reunion with his family, Tikhanovsky was unrecognizable to his young daughter, who was only four years old at the time of his arrest. Once stocky, he has lost over 60 kilograms (132 pounds) during his incarceration, and despite his frail appearance, Tikhanovsky's resolve is stronger than ever. "Physically I’m half the size and half the weight," he stated, "but my spirit is not broken. Maybe it's even stronger."
Tikhanovsky recalls the hardships of his solitary confinement where, for nearly half his imprisonment, he received no letters or phone calls, even being denied visits from clergy. The brutal treatment, including frequent stints in punishment cells, left him without basic comforts, forcing him to maintain physical strength through exhausting exercises in cramped quarters.
After a visit from a senior U.S. delegation to Lukashenko, Tikhanovsky was among 14 political prisoners released, although he expressed profound concern for the estimated 1,000 political prisoners still behind bars. "I'd give anything to get them all out," he said, expressing the need for comprehensive change in Belarus. His wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took up the mantle of opposition leader during his imprisonment, asserts the need for ongoing international pressure against the regime and warns that further sanctions should remain in place until all repressions cease.
In the wake of his release, Sergei Tikhanovsky has swiftly re-engaged with his commitment to freedom and democracy, participating in political discussions, advocating for justice, and reconnecting with his children. Emphasizing that his primary ambition is a democratic Belarus, he made it clear that he has no desire to overshadow his wife’s role in the opposition movement.
As the struggle for democracy in Belarus continues, Tikhanovsky's story serves as a potent reminder of the strength and resilience found in the fight against oppression.
