American Citizen Released After Being Jailed in Belarus

American Youras Ziankovich has been freed from a Belarusian prison after more than four years of detention on allegations of plotting to overthrow President Alexander Lukashenko.

Key Insights

Ziankovich, a naturalized US citizen and pro-democracy advocate, was abducted from Moscow in 2021 by Belarusian security agents and sentenced to over 13 years on conspiracy charges.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release, acknowledging Belarusian President Lukashenko’s “humanitarian gesture” in freeing the American.
Ziankovich’s wife expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and US officials after waiting “1,480 days” for her husband’s return.
Belarus has released approximately 250 political prisoners since last year, though about 1,200 remain imprisoned according to human rights groups.

Abduction and Prolonged Detention

Youras Ziankovich, a lawyer with dual Belarusian and American citizenship, has been released from detainment in Belarus. He was arrested in Moscow in April 2021 alongside Alexander Feduta. Russian FSB and Belarusian authorities accused the men of plotting a military coup against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. After his forcible return to Belarus, Ziankovich was initially sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony in September 2022 for allegedly creating an extremist organization and conspiring to seize state power.

During his imprisonment, Belarusian authorities extended Ziankovich’s sentence multiple times. His original 11-year term was increased by six months in late 2022 and by an additional two years in August 2024 for what officials described as “malicious disobedience to the prison administration.” These extensions brought his total sentence to 13½ years. Reports indicate that Ziankovich faced harsh conditions during his detention and experienced significant weight loss.

Belarus releases US citizen who was jailed for years https://t.co/MqWZ8u0p3J

— WMBF News (@wmbfnews) April 30, 2025

Political Context of Ziankovich’s Imprisonment

Ziankovich’s detention occurred during a period of intense political turmoil in Belarus. Following the disputed 2020 presidential election that saw Lukashenko claim victory for a sixth term, the country experienced widespread protests. The government’s response included a sweeping crackdown on opposition figures and dissidents. According to Viasna, a prominent Belarusian human rights organization, authorities have arrested approximately 65,000 people since the protests began, with hundreds of thousands fleeing the country.

Human rights groups and US officials widely condemned Ziankovich’s detention as politically motivated. His work as a pro-democracy advocate made him a target of the Lukashenko regime, which has maintained power for nearly three decades. The circumstances of his abduction from Moscow by Belarusian security agents raised serious concerns about cross-border violations of human rights and international law. While Lukashenko has pardoned approximately 250 political prisoners since last year, Viasna reports that around 1,200 remain imprisoned.

Rubio’s Acknowledgement

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Ziankovich’s release in an official statement, describing it as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to bring Americans back to the US. “No president has done so much, so quickly, to keep Americans safe abroad,” Rubio stated.

Ziankovich’s wife, Alena Dzenisavets, expressed profound gratitude to those involved in securing her husband’s freedom. While the full details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, Rubio acknowledged the Lithuanians, who he called “incredible allies” and were “supportive of our efforts these past few months to bring Americans home.”