RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
On September 11, 52 political prisoners were released in Belarus, including 38 Belarusian citizens. They were forcibly transferred from Belarus to Lithuania. Among them was Mikalai Statkevich, who refused to leave Belarus.
On September 12, a joint press conference took place in Vilnius. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed those released, thanked President Trump and the US administration, as well as the European Union, Lithuania, Poland, and all countries that advocated for political prisoners, and emphasized the need to secure the release of every prisoner and to put an end to repression. Unfortunately, more people are still being imprisoned than are released.
Some of those freed were deported from Belarus without passports, a gross violation of their rights, and are now in the process of obtaining temporary documents in Lithuania. Many require rehabilitation, psychological, and medical assistance.
Watch the press conference recording with English subtitles or read a transcript of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s speech.
MEETINGS WITH NGOs SUPPORTING POLITICAL PRISONERS
On September 11–12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and representatives of her Office and the United Transitional Cabinet met in Vilnius and Warsaw with NGOs supporting political prisoners. The meetings aimed to coordinate support for released prisoners and to prepare the necessary infrastructure. An assessment of the needs and capacities of human rights initiatives was carried out to ensure readiness to receive any number of freed detainees.
MEETINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE
On September 10, Siarhei Tsikhanouski and Dzianis Kuchynski, Diplomatic Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, met at the White House with Charles McLaughlin, Special Assistant to President Trump and Senior Director for European Affairs. They discussed the next steps for securing the release of political prisoners and ending repression. The democratic forces remain in close contact with the White House and the US State Department. Additionally, Mr. Kuchynski and Mr. Tsikhanouski met with Congress members from both parties: Joe Wilson, Bill Keating, and Chris Smith.
ZAPAD-2025 EXERCISE
On September 12, the Belarus–Russia Zapad-2025 military exercise began. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “Lukashenka is yet again putting the Belarusian people in harm’s way. Instead of thinking about people’s safety, he is helping Putin in his aggression against Ukraine and threatening our neighbors. We Belarusians did not choose this path. Our true interest is to live in a free and peaceful country, to be part of a secure Europe”.
The United Transitional Cabinet also issued a statement on the start of the exercise.
CLOSURE OF THE POLAND–BELARUS BORDER
On the eve of the Zapad-2025 exercise, Poland closed its border with Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented on the closure: “The illegitimate regime is leading Belarus into isolation and turning it into a source of threats for the region. While the regime acts as a co-aggressor in Russia’s war against Ukraine, our neighbors have the right to strengthen their security. But I want to stress that the Belarusian people are not a threat to their neighbors”.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya suggested restricting the movement of goods but preserving passenger crossings. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, also commented on Poland’s decision: “We expect these measures to be temporary and remain in close contact with the Polish government to keep Belarusians informed of further developments”.
COOPERATION WITH POLITICAL PARTIES
On September 10, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a video call with representatives of eight Belarusian political parties, including the Social Democrats, the Greens, the Movement “For Freedom,” the United Civic Party (UCP), Razam, and others. The discussion focused on better coordination between her Office and the parties, as well as joint actions in the international arena. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the key role of political parties in the democratic movement and urged them to remain active and take part in the next election to the Coordination Council.
PROMOTING BELARUSIAN CULTURE
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Paviel Barkouski, the United Transitional Cabinet Representative for National Revival, and his Deputies Andrei Laurukhin and Irena Katsiavovich. They discussed the Representation’s work plan and new projects in culture and education. Earlier, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also held introductory talks with Alina Ryzhychenka, the new Cabinet Representative for Economy, and Sviatlana Shatsilina, the Head of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Kyiv.
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY
On September 14, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the First European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Ventotene, where the Ventotene Manifesto was once written. The event was backed by the European Parliament and included a panel on Belarus, during which Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered a speech, addressing Belarusian identity, resistance inside the country, and the contribution every individual can make to democracy.
SECURITY CONFERENCE WITH THE LITHUANIAN MFA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, alongside Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, took part in the discussion “Beyond Uncertainty: Belarus and Europe’s Security” during a conference at Vilnius University. The discussion focused on the future of Belarus, possible dialogue with the regime, and further cooperation with Lithuania.
ASSISTANCE TO REPRESSED BELARUSIANS AND RELEASED POLITICAL PRISONERS
On September 11, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service. They discussed urgent support programs for released political prisoners and human rights defenders, the EU’s sanctions policy vis-à-vis Belarus, as well as support for independent media, civil society, and cultural initiatives.
MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS OF NORDIC AND BALTIC COUNTRIES
On September 11, a meeting took place in Vilnius between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the ambassadors and special envoys of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). Ms. Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the diplomats and thanked them for their principled stance and consistent support for democratic Belarus. The discussions focused on political prisoners and post-release support, repression, sanctions, regional security, support for independent media, and accountability of the regime.
COOPERATION WITH THE LITHUANIAN SEIMAS
On September 12, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Parliamentary Cooperation and Constitutional Reform, Anatoli Liabedzka, met with the Deputy Chair of the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus”, Žygimantas Pavilionis. They discussed the Belarus agenda during Lithuania’s EU Presidency, the plans and activities of the group “For a Democratic Belarus”, and the release of political prisoners. This week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will meet with the new Speaker of the Seimas, Juozas Olekas.
RED PAPER PRESENTATION IN PRAGUE
A discussion titled “Orsha’s Legacy: Response of Democratic Belarus to Zapad-2025” took place in Prague as part of the Czech Eastern Policy Conference 2025. The Director of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, Kryścina Šyjanok, delivered opening remarks. Two key documents were presented during the discussion: “Zapad-2025: Under the Fog of Exercises” and the Red Paper, which examines Belarus within the broader context of regional security.
ANDREI PADNIABENNY’S DEATH IN CUSTODY
Last week, it was reported that another political prisoner, Andrei Padniabenny, had died behind bars. This is the ninth known death of a political prisoner in custody. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a statement: “For the desire of a better future for his family, the regime first deprived him of freedom, and now, in prison, they took away the most precious thing – his life. There is nothing more terrible than losing a loved one. There can be no forgiveness for those responsible for this crime”.
BELARUSIAN MILITARY GLORY DAY
On September 8, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya congratulated Belarusians on Belarusian Military Glory Day: “Today, more than ever, we must realize the value of Belarusian independence. Independence is the guarantee of a safe future for our children, the chance to live in a country where human dignity is respected and heritage is honored. It depends only on us whether Belarus will be free and peaceful”.
SECOND CONGRESS ON POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BELARUS
On September 26 and 28, the Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus #WithoutJustCause will take place in Poland, bringing together representatives of NGOs, initiatives, political prisoners and their families, human rights defenders, and activists to unite efforts and coordinate support for political prisoners and their families.
Register to join the event or apply for media accreditation.
The event is organized by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic in cooperation with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, and partner organizations, including the UTC Representation for Social Policy, Viasna Human Rights Center, Dissidentby, Volnyja, A Country to Live in Foundation, and Christian Vision, with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.
MEDIA
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya gave interviews to Stop the World (Australia), BELSAT DOC (Belarus), Financial Times (International), Zerkalo (Belarus), Open (Italy), Belsat (1, 2) (Belarus), and YouTube Belarus.
