Sergei Tikhanovsky, a key opposition voice in Belarus, has finally emerged from the shadows of solitary confinement after an agonizing five years. Known for his bold stand against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, Tikhanovsky has shed not only his communication but also half of his body weight—down nearly 60kg (132 pounds)—since his arrest.
In an impassioned meeting shortly after his unexpected release in Lithuania, Tikhanovsky shared the psychological toll of his imprisonment. "The hardest thing was the restriction on speaking. Being completely isolated in a cell, unable to express myself—that was overwhelming," he stated. Now, liberated along with 13 other political prisoners, his thoughts surge forth unrelentingly.
The catalyst for his release was a high-level visit from a U.S. delegation to Lukashenko, which sparked hopes of leniency. For Tikhanovsky, seeing his daughter after years apart was a moment of overwhelming emotion; she had not recognized him at first. He recounted the poignant moment when she finally leaped into his arms, a symbol of both loss and newfound freedom.
Before his imprisonment, Tikhanovsky was notable for using his YouTube platform to amplify public concerns about Lukashenko's regime in the lead-up to the 2020 elections, which he labeled as deeply flawed. His attempts to run for president led to his arrest—a decision he attributes to the regime's fear of genuine democracy.
During his confinement, Tikhanovsky suffered brutal conditions; often, he was targeted for severe mistreatment. His account of relentless isolation, coupled with harrowing punishment cells devoid of basic amenities, paints a grim picture of the lengths the regime will go to stifle dissent. “You have to detach yourself from your thoughts of family to survive,” he recounted passionately, emphasizing the mental resilience required to endure such treatment.
His liberation has rekindled his fight for justice—not just for himself but for the 1,000+ political prisoners still languishing in Belarusian jails. Tikhanovsky expressed empathy for their plight, urging for a strong collective effort to secure their release while firmly opposing any easing of international sanctions against the regime until its oppressive practices cease.
Meanwhile, his wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has emerged as a prominent opposition leader in her own right, remains cautiously optimistic. While elated about Sergei’s return, she warns against complacency, highlighting that political repression continues unabated with a recent upsurge in detentions.
As Tikhanovsky steps back into the world, he is committed to using his voice to advocate for democracy in Belarus while cherishing the invaluable time lost with his family. He remains grounded in his purpose: “I just want a democratic Belarus," he asserted, signifying his resolve to confront the regime head-on.
