Eismont announced the return home of Belarusian oppositionist Statkevich

Pardoned Belarusian oppositionist Mikalai Statkevich has been released home and is already staying with relatives. This was announced on February 20 by the press secretary of the President of Belarus Natalia Eismont.

"The decision to pardon Mikalai Statkevich was made by President [of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko] a long time ago. But then go to the "garden of Eden" (to Lithuania. Statkevich refused and returned to prison. Since then, the convict has had health problems, in particular, a cerebral infarction," Eismont said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to her, the president was informed about the convict's condition, and he decided to immediately transfer him to a hospital, where timely assistance was provided. After that, the head of state received appeals from relatives asking him to let Statkevich go home for care and supervision.

"The President also agreed with this (pardon — Ed.). <...> Now he (Statkevich — Ed.) is at home, recovering," the press secretary stressed.

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In 2011, Statkevich was found guilty of organizing mass riots that took place in Minsk on December 19, 2010 after the presidential elections in Belarus. He has been held in a temporary detention facility since December 2010.

On September 17, 2025, Lukashenko confirmed that opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich refused to leave Belarus. Earlier, Statkevich moved to Lithuania, but decided to return to his homeland. At the same time, the authorities of the Republic of Belarus do not intend to prevent this.

In June last year, the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the appeals of a number of oppositionists, including Statkevich. The verdict of blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky and his accomplices was also upheld.

In March 2021, the Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Belarus completed the investigation of the criminal case against Statkevich, who, according to the Investigative Committee, participated in the preparation and organization of mass riots on the territory of the republic in the post-election period.

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