In Davos, Switzerland, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of strategically releasing political prisoners just before an upcoming election, referring to the act as a tactic to maintain his long-standing rule.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Tsikhanouskaya denounced the election as a farce due to the suppression of opponents and lack of independent media coverage. Regarding Lukashenko's recent pardons of political prisoners, she criticized his motives as a calculated move aimed at garnering Western support rather than a genuine shift in policy.
Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need to halt repression, release all prisoners, including her husband Siarhei, before engaging in any negotiations with Lukashenko. Disputing Lukashenko's denial of the existence of political prisoners, she stressed the importance of international support from the "democratic world" to challenge dictatorship and bring about change in Belarus.
Furthermore, Tsikhanouskaya highlighted the importance of including discussions on Belarus in upcoming peace talks related to Ukraine. She expressed concerns about Belarus becoming a bargaining chip for Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed the necessity of ensuring the withdrawal of Russian forces, including nuclear weapons, from Belarus in any negotiations related to regional stability.