Brussels, 23 June 2025 - On 23 June 2025, we welcome the release, on Saturday 21 June, of 14 political prisoners, including a prominent opposition figure and would-be presidential candidate Siarhei Tsikhanouski, as well as Natallia Dulina, Halina Krasnianskaya, Ihar Karnei, Akihiro Hayeuski-Hanada, Kiryl Balakhonau, Siarhei Sheleh, Jerzy Żywalewski and Allan Royo (based on currently available information). After five years of unjust imprisonment, Siarhei Tsikhanouski was finally able to leave detention and reunite with his wife, Sviatlana, and their children.

This U.S.-brokered release offers hope for the more than 1,150 political prisoners who remain incarcerated in Belarus - many of whom are subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and other forms of ill-treatment. We commend the United States for its engagement and reaffirm that the unconditional release and full rehabilitation of all remaining political prisoners must remain a top priority for the international community.

Among those still imprisoned, independent journalists face some of the most severe repression. Belarus remains one of the most dangerous countries in Europe for media professionals. Independent media have been virtually eradicated--most outlets have been banned, blocked, or forced into exile. Journalists continue to face arbitrary detention, torture, long prison sentences, and forced displacement. All detained media workers are labelled as "persons involved in extremist activities," and several have been designated as "terrorists" by the KGB. Their families are routinely subjected to harassment, surveillance, and persecution.

We urge the Belarusian authorities to immediately end the persecution of independent journalists and to fulfil their international obligations by ensuring that all citizens can freely exercise their fundamental rights--particularly the freedoms of expression and assembly. Our thoughts are with the journalists who remain unjustly imprisoned for their courageous efforts to provide impartial, accurate information to the public, and we call for their immediate and unconditional release:

Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, Ihar Losik, Uladzimir Matskevich, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Dzianis Ivashyn, Andrzej Poczobut, Maryna Zolatava, Liudmila Chekina, Valeryia Kastsiuhova, Dzmitry Navazhylau, Iryna Slaunikava, Siarhei Satsuk, Kanstantsin Zalatykh, Pavel Mazheika, Yauhen Merkis, Dzmitry Semchanka, Andrei Famin, Larysa Shchyrakova, Pavel Padabed, Viachaslau Lazarau, Pavel Vinahradau, Aliaksandr Mantsevich, Ales Sabaleuski, Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk, Yauhen Hlushkou, Ales Marchanka, Volha Radzivonava, Anton Kazelski, Alena Tsimashchuk, Daniil Palianski, Yauhen Nikalayevich, Ihar Ilyash, Siarhei Chabotska, Ruslan Raviaka, associates of the Intex-press editorial office, Aleh Supruniuk, and Palina Pitkevich.

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: [email protected]