{"id":126495,"date":"2025-02-15T20:47:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T17:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/126495\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"cichanouskaja-links-prisoners-release-to-pressure-on-regime","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/126495\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja links prisoners\u2019 release to pressure on regime"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n File photo (the press office of \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 15, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Minsk has released journalist Andrej Ku\u017anie\u010dyk, protester Alena Ma\u016d\u0161uk and an unnamed US citizen because of coordinated efforts between the United States and the Belarusian pro-democracy forces, \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja said at a debate during the Munich Security Conference (MSC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are working really hard to free people. But you need to understand that these releases are not happening because of [Alaksandar] \u0141uka\u0161enka’s humanity. They are happening because of constant pressure on his regime,\u201d the politician said (quotes rendered from Belarusian).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja also touched on a reduction in USAID funding, which she said had affected many exiled Belarusian media. \u201cThese media are on the verge of extinction. We must understand that media are not the projects that can be temporarily paused. Propaganda should be countered daily. If the independent voices go silent, they would be immediately replaced by Russian and Belarusian propaganda,\u201d she argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opposition leader also underscored that only a fair peace deal for Ukraine would allow Belarus and other countries to change for the better. \u201cIt would give a chance to Moldova, Georgia and Armenia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf Ukraine does not win this war, this would strengthen Putin, and our closest neighbors\u2014Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia\u2014would face the greatest threat of disappearing,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MSC brands itself as \u201cthe world\u2019s leading forum for debating international security policy.\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja has participated in these conferences for years. This year will see her speaking on the main stage for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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