Freed Belarusian Opposition Leader Sergei Tikhanovsky Shares Harrowing Prison Experience and Hope for Fellow Political Prisoners**

Tue Jul 01 2025 02:50:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Freed Belarusian Opposition Leader Sergei Tikhanovsky Shares Harrowing Prison Experience and Hope for Fellow Political Prisoners**

After spending over five years imprisoned for his activism, Sergei Tikhanovsky reflects on his traumatic journey and the urgent need for change in Belarus.**


Sergei Tikhanovsky, a prominent Belarusian opposition figure released from prison, recounts the physical and emotional toll of his confinement while expressing a powerful resolve to advocate for other political prisoners still behind bars.**


Sergei Tikhanovsky, the Belarusian opposition figure who spent over five years in solitary confinement, is finally free and ready to share his story. After enduring harsh treatment and losing nearly 132 pounds during his imprisonment, he faces the world with a spirit that remains unbroken despite the trauma. Reflecting on the years spent without contact with the outside world, Tikhanovsky describes the inability to communicate as the hardest aspect of his ordeal.

His release follows a rare visit from a senior U.S. delegation aimed at fostering dialogue with authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Released alongside 13 other political prisoners, Tikhanovsky's reunion with his family was bittersweet—his daughter initially did not recognize him because of the drastic weight loss and physical changes he endured during his captivity.

The political landscape in Belarus has drastically shifted since his arrest during the 2020 presidential election campaign, where he sought to expose the fraudulent nature of the elections. This led to widespread protests, though Tikhanovsky, imprisoned for his dissent, had not seen firsthand the movement's evolution.

His imprisonment committee included solitary punishment cells and a regimen of physical exercise for survival. Even as he tells his tale of survival, he remains intensely focused on those still imprisoned, including other notable opponents of Lukashenko's regime who remain behind bars.

After his unexpected release, Tikhanovsky quickly engaged with political leaders and media. However, he emphasizes that the fight is far from over. His wife, Svetlana, now the face of the opposition, echoes concerns about the current political climate and warns against easing sanctions while repressive measures continue within Belarus.

As Tikhanovsky settles back into a life of freedom, he prioritizes advocating for the release of all political prisoners and the establishment of a democratic Belarus. His story stands as a testament to resilience, shedding light on the ongoing struggle for human rights in the region.

MORE ON THEME

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:05:50 GMT

Nonprofits Fail in Legal Effort to Stop U.K. Fighter Jet Parts Exports to Israel

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:05:50 GMT
Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:38:36 GMT

Freed Opposition Leader Sergei Tikhanovsky Vows to Fight for Belarusian Freedom

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:38:36 GMT
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:24:02 GMT

Budapest Pride Celebrates Diversity Amid Efforts to Suppress It

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:24:02 GMT
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:16:03 GMT

# Iran Teeters on the Brink Following Conflict with Israel and U.S.

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:16:03 GMT
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:14:38 GMT

Concerns Rise over Targeted Assassinations of Nicaraguan Dissidents in Costa Rica

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:14:38 GMT
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 01:08:52 GMT

### Budapest Pride March Signals Protest Against Orban's Policies

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 01:08:52 GMT
Sat, 28 Jun 2025 17:38:12 GMT

Mixed Reactions to Peace Agreement Between DR Congo and Rwanda

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 17:38:12 GMT
Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:02:38 GMT

The Erosion of Democracy in East Africa: A Regional Trend of Repression**

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:02:38 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 22:39:57 GMT

**Wave of Arrests and Executions in Iran Amidst Israel Conflict Unfolds**

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 22:39:57 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:24:53 GMT

**Iranian Opposition Voices Amplified Amid Ongoing Conflict**

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:24:53 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:52:11 GMT

EU Faces Divisions Over Response to Gaza Crisis as Protests Erupt

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:52:11 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:45:29 GMT

Escalating Violence: Three Palestinians Killed in West Bank Settler Attack

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:45:29 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:20:30 GMT

Escalation of Violence: Settler Attack in Kafr Malik Claims Three Palestinian Lives

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:20:30 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:42:08 GMT

A Nation Transformed: Iran's Supreme Leader Faces Unprecedented Challenges Post-War**

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:42:08 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:39:43 GMT

**Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz': Controversial Migrant Detention Facility Takes Shape**

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:39:43 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:55:41 GMT

### Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz': A New Migrant Detention Facility in the Everglades

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:55:41 GMT
Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:47:26 GMT

The Uncertain Future of Iran as Khamenei Emerges from Hiding

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:47:26 GMT
Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:34:48 GMT

**The Shadow of Emergency: Revisiting India’s Authoritarian Interlude**

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:34:48 GMT
Tue, 24 Jun 2025 05:42:41 GMT

**Escalating Conflict: Israel Targets Tehran's Evin Prison and Fordo Access Routes**

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 05:42:41 GMT
Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:48:45 GMT

### Tensions Escalate as Israel Targets Iran's Evin Prison

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:48:45 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.