Concerns are mounting over the well-being of several Belarusian political prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski, husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Tsikhanouskaya revealed she received an anonymous tip alleging her husband's death in prison, though she lacks confirmation. Communication with Tsikhanouski has been cut off since early March; letters go unanswered, and legal counsel has been denied access.
Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist, was jailed in 2020 after challenging President Alexander Lukashenko in a contested election. His wife subsequently ran in his place, garnering significant public support before leaving the country under duress. Tsikhanouski received a 19 1/2 year sentence on charges related to organizing protests.
He is not alone in facing an uncertain fate. Former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka, also imprisoned, has been unheard from for over two months, sparking fears of his mistreatment. Maria Kolesnikova, Babaryka's campaign manager, has similarly been incommunicado for months, with Amnesty International reporting a lack of access to communication, family, and legal representation since mid-February.
Another opposition figure, Nikolai Statkevich, serving a 14-year sentence, has been out of contact for over four months. Human rights organizations like Viasna believe this information blackout is a deliberate tactic by Belarusian authorities to exert pressure on political prisoners and their families. Pavel Sapelko of Viasna highlighted the harsh conditions faced by these individuals, coupled with the added distress of their families left in the dark. Official comment from Belarusian authorities on this matter is currently lacking.
Viasna estimates that 1,501 political prisoners are currently incarcerated in Belarus.
