Man Detained in Belarus Since 2021 Has Been Released

President Donald Trump’s administration has secured the release of American lawyer Youras Ziankovich after 1,480 days of wrongful imprisonment in Belarus, where he was abducted from Moscow and subjected to charges that earned him 11 years in a penal colony.

Quick Takes

• Youras Ziankovich, a naturalized US citizen and pro-democracy advocate, has been freed from Belarusian imprisonment.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release, praising President Donald Trump’s role in the development.
• Ziankovich was abducted in Moscow by Belarusian security agents in 2021 and sentenced to 11 years on charges of conspiracy to seize state power.
• His release comes amid strained US-Belarus relations following dictator Lukashenko’s disputed 2020 election and subsequent crackdown on opponents.

American Citizen Freed from Imprisonment

American lawyer and pro-democracy advocate Youras Ziankovich has been released from Belarusian imprisonment after being detained since 2021. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the successful diplomatic effort to free Ziankovich, who had been sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony on charges of conspiracy and creating an extremist organization. The case against Ziankovich was widely believed to be politically motivated.

US officials and human rights groups expressed significant concerns about Ziankovich’s case, particularly his abduction from Moscow and the poor state of his health when he was incarcerated. His release is being considered a humanitarian gesture by Belarus, and Zianhovich is expected to return to the US soon.

In announcing his release, Rubio stated, “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.”

An American detained in Belarus has been freed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Wednesday, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Minsk amid ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to repatriate Americans wrongfully imprisoned abroad. pic.twitter.com/2ZxQ9js4mi

— NTD News (@NTDNews) May 1, 2025

Broader Efforts and a Wife’s Reaction

Reports indicate the release of Ziankovich is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to return Americans held in Belarus. Back in February, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump had helped facilitate the release of three people from Belarus, including one US citizen. She called the result a “remarkable victory.”

Ziankovich’s release has drawn a grateful reaction from his wife, Alena, Dzenisavets, who said,“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.” Per CNN, she thanked those involved in his release and who advocated for him.

Implications

Ziankovich’s release may signal a potential shift in the relationship between the United States and Belarus, though significant challenges remain. Tensions between the nations have reportedly been strong due to questions about the validity of President Aleksander Lukashenko’s election. Belarus’s leadership has also reportedly endeavored to squash the voices of opposition leaders.

Sources

1. American Wrongfully Detained in Belarus Freed, Rubio Confirms
2. U.S. citizen detained in Belarus released
3. American Wrongfully Detained in Belarus Freed, Rubio Confirms