Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya holds an image of her husband Syarhei Tsikhanouski, who is jailed in Belarus, as she attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 17, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab
VILNIUS, June 21 (Reuters) – Belarus opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski has been released from prison, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X on Saturday.
Local media outlet Nasha Niva said the release was possible following U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg’s visit to Belarus, without giving details.
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A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said.
A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added.
“We’re not done,” Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners.