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Belarus frees opposition politician after stroke in prison, exiled leader says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on February 19, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: February 19, 2026

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Tags:Human Rights

Quick Summary

Belarus freed opposition figure Mikola Statkevich after he suffered a stroke in custody, his wife said. The 69-year-old had refused deportation during a 2025 U.S.-brokered release. Exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the news.

Belarus Releases Opposition Figure After Prison Stroke, Exiled Leader Says

Background and Political Context

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Belarusian opposition politician Mikola Statkevich, who refused deportation to Lithuania after his 2025 release and was imprisoned again, has been freed after he suffered a stroke while in custody, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Thursday.

Appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump

2025 Mass Release and Reimprisonment

Statkevich was one of 52 prisoners freed in Belarus in September 2025 after an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, including journalists and political opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko. All were brought to the Lithuanian border, but Statkevich was the only one who refused to cross.

Reaction from Exiled Opposition

"I am relieved that he is free and able to hug his wife, who waited for him for so long," Tsikhanouskaya wrote on X, posting a picture of Statkevich and his wife smiling. She said that he could barely speak following the stroke.

Detention Sentence Details

2010 Election and Sentencing

Statkevich, 69, ran unsuccessfully against Lukashenko in a presidential election in 2010. He was arrested in May 2020 and sentenced in 2021 to 14 years in a maximum-security prison for "organising riots".

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Tomasz Janowski)

Key Takeaways

•Mikola Statkevich, 69, has been freed after suffering a stroke in custody and has speech difficulties.
•He refused deportation to Lithuania in September 2025 during a U.S.-brokered mass release.
•Authorities rearrested him after he declined to leave Belarus; his release follows a health crisis.
•Statkevich ran against Lukashenko in 2010 and was sentenced in 2021 to 14 years for “organising riots.”
•Exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed his release; many political prisoners remain jailed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Belarus frees opposition politician after stroke in prison, exiled leader says

1What is the main topic?

Belarus has freed opposition politician Mikola Statkevich after he suffered a stroke in prison. The case draws renewed attention to political repression and prisoner releases tied to international negotiations.

2Why was Mikola Statkevich imprisoned?

He was arrested in May 2020 and, in 2021, received a 14-year sentence for allegedly organizing riots—charges widely viewed by rights groups as politically motivated.

3Why is his release significant?

Statkevich refused deportation to Lithuania during a U.S.-brokered mass release in September 2025 and was rearrested. His release after a stroke highlights ongoing human rights concerns in Belarus.

Background and Political Context

Appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump

2025 Mass Release and Reimprisonment

Reaction from Exiled Opposition

Detention Sentence Details

2010 Election and Sentencing

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Tomasz Janowski)

Key Takeaways

•Mikola Statkevich, 69, has been freed after suffering a stroke in custody and has speech difficulties.

•He refused deportation to Lithuania in September 2025 during a U.S.-brokered mass release.

•Authorities rearrested him after he declined to leave Belarus; his release follows a health crisis.

•Statkevich ran against Lukashenko in 2010 and was sentenced in 2021 to 14 years for “organising riots.”

•Exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed his release; many political prisoners remain jailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the main topic?

2Why was Mikola Statkevich imprisoned?

He was arrested in May 2020 and, in 2021, received a 14-year sentence for allegedly organizing riots—charges widely viewed by rights groups as politically motivated.

3Why is his release significant?

Statkevich refused deportation to Lithuania during a U.S.-brokered mass release in September 2025 and was rearrested. His release after a stroke highlights ongoing human rights concerns in Belarus.