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Belarus Opposition Leader Released After Stroke in Custody

2/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mikola Statkevich, a Belarusian opposition politician, was released after suffering a stroke in custody, according to exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
He was among 52 prisoners freed in September 2025 after a U.S. appeal.
He refused deportation to Lithuania and was the only released prisoner to decline crossing the border.
Statkevich, 69, previously ran against President Alexander Lukashenko in 2010 and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021.

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Story summary

Mikola Statkevich, a Belarusian opposition politician, was released after suffering a stroke in custody, according to exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
He was among 52 prisoners freed in September 2025 after a U.S. appeal.
He refused deportation to Lithuania and was the only released prisoner to decline crossing the border.
Statkevich, 69, previously ran against President Alexander Lukashenko in 2010 and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021.