Liberated from prison in Belarusia a radio journalist Europa Libre/Radio Libertad

Andrey Kuznechyk, journalist of the Radio Europa Libre/Radio Libertad (RFE/RL) Radio Service, was released from a Belarusian prison, after having been detained for more than three years in a case that was qualified as politically motivated.

American officials and human rights groups in Belarus have recognized him as a political prisoner.

“This is a happy day for Andrey, his wife Alesya and his two young children. After more than three years of separation, this family is united again thanks to President (Donald) Trump, ”said RFE/RL Executive Director, Stephen Capus, in a statement on February 12, highlighting the secretary’s efforts of state, Marco Rubio, «and his team», as well as the Lithuanian government for their support.

Rubio also spoke about this success of American diplomacy. «President Trump’s firm leadership has allowed the release of an unjustly detained American citizen in Belarus and two political prisoners,» he said in a release.

«I want to especially thank the Lithuania government for their cooperation and assistance; they are still a true ally and friend. I also want to thank my consular issues team, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and the Office of European Affairs and Eurasiamatic for all the hard work that was done to achieve these liberations. State.

Kuznechyk’s release occurred one day after the Trump administration achieved the release of American professor Marc Fogel, who was held in a prison in Russia, a key ally of Belarus. «It was an honor» to achieve Fogel’s freedom, Rubio said on social networks.

Kuznechyk was arrested in November 2021 and initially sentenced to 10 days in jail for vandalism charges he rejected. After fulfilling that penalty, it was not released, but accused of creating an extremist group, a measure that the authorities did not reveal to Kuznechyk’s relatives and colleagues for months.

On June 8, 2022, the regional court of Mahilyou, in eastern Belarus, declared Kuznechyk guilty and sentenced him to six years in prison. The trial lasted only one day.

His case was seen as part of a broader campaign of repression against RFE/RL journalists and independent media in Belarus.