American Citizen Released from Incarceration in Belarus

Youras Ziankovich, an American detained in Belarus, has been freed, highlighting a diplomatic achievement.

Quick Takes

An American detained in Belarus, Youras Ziankovich, has been freed, marking a diplomatic breakthrough.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release.
Ziankovich was a pro-democracy advocate detained in Belarus since 2021.
Detentions occurred amid strained US-Belarus relations post-2020 elections.

Ziankovich’s Detention and Initial Concerns

Ziankovich’s ordeal began when Belarusian security forces abducted him in Moscow in 2021. He was sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony under charges of conspiracy and forming an extremist organization. The nature of his abduction and sentencing led US officials to label his detention as wrongful, drawing attention from human rights groups worldwide. Concerns intensified about his health during his imprisonment, which advocates deemed politically driven.

The release of Ziankovich comes after three people, including a US citizen, were freed from Belarus in February. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized this development as a “remarkable victory,” and touted President Donald Trump’s “deal-making ability.”

U.S. citizen detained in Belarus released https://t.co/UdaLPCQhFs

— Axios (@axios) April 30, 2025

Rubio’s Announcement and Family’s Response

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Ziankovich’s release. In a statement, he said, “No president has done so much, so quickly, to keep Americans safe abroad. In just 100 days, we’ve also secured the release of 47 unjustly detained Americans around the world – including in Afghanistan, Russia, and Venezuela – through high-level diplomatic efforts.”

Ziankovich’s wife, Alena Dzenisavets, emotionally expressed her gratitude towards President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and others who helped and advocated for her husband’s release. “I knew this day would come. It took 1,480 days, but he survived and is on his way home to me and to America,” she told CNN.

The Broader Context

The release negotiations unfolded amid turbulent US-Belarus relations, especially after President Lukashenko’s contested 2020 re-election and the subsequent governmental crackdown on dissenting voices. The international community continues to scrutinize Belarus’s practices regarding civil liberties and political opposition.