Belarussian prisoner of conscience and opposition politician Mikalai Statkevich was released from imprisonmenton  Friday after he suffered a stroke earlier in January. Following his release, Amnesty International highlighted the need for justice for victims of human rights violations in Belarus.

Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia director, stated: “Releasing a prisoner of conscience after he has suffered a stroke is not justice, it is the sign of its profound absence. Belarusian authorities must end the practice of imprisoning activists, journalists, and other government critics for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.” She also highlighted the cases of human rights defenders Nasta Loika, Marfa Rabkova, Valiantsin Stefanovich, and Vital Chopik.

Statkevich was one of 52 Belarusian prisoners released in September 2025 following a deal with the US. Following their release, Belarusian authorities attempted to deport the 52 former prisoners. While they were being brought to the Lithuanian border, Statkevich forced his way out of the bus, declaring, “I will keep fighting.” Statkevich was then reportedly detained by masked men and transported to a penal colony.

Statkevich was serving a 14-year sentence following his arrest in 2020 on charges of “organization of mass unrest” (Article 293(1) of the Criminal Code). In his latest imprisonment since 2020, he was held in isolation for long weeks before suffering a stroke on January 21, 2026. The stroke precipitated his release, but Amnesty has highlighted that being released due to failing health does not constitute justice.

Belarus has a consistent track record of detaining political dissidents. In 2024, a UN report found that following the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, the crime against humanity of persecution may have been committed in Belarus. The report details human rights violations, including the arbitrary deprivation of the right to life, enforced disappearance, torture, and discrimination on grounds of political opinion. Despite recent prisoner releases, Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, has emphasized that systemic repression remains entrenched in the country.

As of February 22, 2026 Belarusian Human Rights Centre Viasna claims that 1142 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus.