Three political prisoners released: journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, mother of many children Alena Maushuk, and a US citizen
On the evening of February 12, it became known that three political prisoners: Radio Svaboda journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, mother of many children from Pinsk Alena Maushuk, and a US citizen, whose name is not disclosed, were released. They have already left Belarus and are safe. The release was made possible thanks to the assistance of the United States. The Secretary of State called on the Belarusian regime to release the remaining nearly 1,300 political prisoners who remain behind bars throughout Belarus.
- Photo from Franak Viačorka's Telegram channel
"I am grateful to the United States for joint efforts"
On the evening of February 12, Democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya reported:
"Great news. Today we are meeting three freed hostages of the regime — journalist Andrei Kuznechyk, activist Alena Maushuk, and a US citizen, whose name has not yet been disclosed.
I was informed that all three of them are already safe in Vilnius. Representatives of the American embassy are helping them, and representatives of the Office and Cabinet are already taking Alena Maushuk to a safe place where she will receive all the necessary support.
I am very grateful to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and the U.S. Department of State for their joint efforts to make this possible.
I am glad that the prisoners will be able to see their families and loved ones again after long days behind bars. Finally, everyone will hug their relatives. We will fight for everyone's release!"
What is known about those released?
CNN received the details of the release from Chris Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe.
"It was a special operation: we crossed the Belarusian border, met with representatives of the authorities in Minsk, who handed over three detainees to us. We picked them up and moved them abroad through Lithuania."
According to Smith, it was a "unilateral gesture" by the Belarusian authorities seeking to improve relations with the United States.
"Lukashenka has received nothing in return," he said.
Alena Maushuk was detained on the night of August 10, 2020, in Pinsk as part of a criminal case on "mass riots." According to the charges, the woman allegedly attempted to beat police officers with a stick. She was later sentenced to six years in a penal colony. Her husband, Siarhei Maushuk, was sentenced to 6.5 years in a medium security penal colony; he is held behind bars. Alena was held in Homieĺ penal colony No. 24.
The former political prisoner told Lusterka the details of her release:
"It was spontaneous. I worked at the factory and came back after the first shift. We all went to dinner. The controller came up to me and said, 'Maushuk, come with us.' We came to the squad room, and I was told to take out all my belongings.
The assistant to the head of the penal colony on duty took me to the headquarters. There was a prosecutor who said, 'Uladzimirauna, your pardon has been considered.' I was very upset because I didn't understand whether it had been considered or whether it would be considered. Then the prosecutor said that it had already been considered, but with the condition that I need to leave Belarus. He asked if I had such intentions. I replied that I had already said that I did not want to live in Belarus. That's it. I'm free."
The woman noted that she was released on a pardon, which she applied for in July 2024. The condition for her release was her departure from Belarus.
"They took me away with my things right after dinner. I waited a bit. A car arrived, and they took me to Minsk. I was in the KGB pre-trial detention centre at night. I don't know how long I spent there. Then they took me away.
I didn't see anything on the way to the border. When I left the room, they put a mask on me, so I couldn't see anything."
Andrei Kuznechyk, 47, has been behind bars for over three years. On February 12, he arrived in Vilnius, where he was greeted by his wife and children — five-year-old Matsvei and 11-year-old Yanina. The journalist was sentenced to six years in a penal colony for "participating in an extremist formation" (Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code). He served his term in Navapolack penal colony No. 1.
The name of the released US citizen has not been disclosed.
The United States called for the release of the remaining political prisoners
The United States welcomed the release of two political prisoners in Belarus. The US State Department has published the briefing by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on its website:
"President Trump’s strong leadership has led to the release of an American unjustly detained in Belarus and two political prisoners. I want to particularly thank the Lithuanian government for its cooperation and assistance – they remain a true ally and friend. I also want to thank my team in Consular Affairs, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs for all the hard work that went into securing these releases.
We remain committed to the release of other U.S. citizens in Belarus and elsewhere. We call for the release of nearly 1,300 political prisoners who remain in jail across Belarus."
