Lithuanian citizen imprisoned on political grounds freed from Belarusian captivity
On 11 September, Elena Ramanauskienė, a political prisoner held by Aliaksandr Lukashenka's regime in Belarus, was released. She was illegally detained in Belarus and sentenced to six years in prison in the summer of 2024 on trumped-up espionage charges.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, welcomed the freed Lithuanian citizen at the border with Belarus. She is now receiving essential medical and other necessary assistance.
This release is the result of consistent efforts by Lithuanian diplomats, other national institutions, and cooperation with U.S. diplomats.
“Lithuania takes care of its people and does not leave them in trouble. The security of Lithuanian citizens is our priority, and we are making every effort to bring our citizens back home those who find themselves imprisoned by undemocratic regimes,” said the Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
Currently, nearly 1200 officially recognised political prisoners remain in custody in Belarus, with actual number likely even higher. The minister stressed the need to increase pressure on the Belarusian regime by calling for an end to internal repression, an unconditional release of those currently imprisoned, and cease taking new hostages. According to Budrys, Belarus is an accomplice in Russia's war against Ukraine, and the behavior of the regime does not change. Therefore, it is necessary to tighten sanctions against the regime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds the public that it is not safe to travel to Belarus. No one travelling to this country is immune from the arbitrary actions of the Lukashenka regime and risks being illegally arrested or imprisoned on fictitious charges.
In addition to Ramanauskienė, the Belarusian regime has also released five more Lithuanian citizens who had been imprisoned in Belarus.
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