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Belarus Opposition Veteran Mikalay Statkevich Released Home After Stroke

Belarusian officials cited his health in granting the release, according to a presidential spokeswoman.

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MINSK, BELARUS - JULY 03: Opposition leader Nikolai Statkevich of the Social Democratic Party rallies supporters in Kastrycnickaja Square ahead of a March after the annual Independence Day celebrations on July 03, 2017 in Minsk, Belarus. Though peaceful on this occasion, previous marches have ended with many people arrested, including Mr Statkevich. Mr Statkevich was imprisoned after running against President Lukashenko for the presidency in 2010. The post-Soviet republic of Belarus, borders Poland to its West, Lithuania to its North West, Russia to its North East, and Ukraine to its South. A predominantly flat country of Lakes and Forests, home to Wolves, Brown Bears and EuropeÕs only population of Bison. The population is around 9.5 million people, and it often cited as being 'Europe's last Dictatorship'. Belarus' current President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, winning his fifth term in October 2015 with 83.5 % of the vote. Visa restrictions to Belarus have recently been lifted, allowing citizens from the European Union, America and 51 other countries visa-free entry to the country for up to 5 days through Minsk International Airport. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Statkevich had been an active member of Belarus's opposition since the 1990s
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Overview

  • He is back at his home in Minsk recovering from a stroke, with speech difficulties reported by his wife.
  • Presidential spokeswoman Natalia Eismont said Alyaksandr Lukashenko ordered the release following appeals from Statkevich’s family.
  • Viasna said he spent more than a month in emergency care at a prison hospital and counts 1,146 political prisoners still detained in Belarus.
  • Statkevich refused deportation during a U.S.-brokered mass release in September 2025 and was returned to custody days later.
  • He had been serving a 14-year sentence on charges tied to the 2020 protests, and opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed his return home.