Belarus releases American citizen accused of preparing assassination plot on Alexander Lukashenko – CNN
www.pravda.com.ua
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:48:58 +0300
American Youras Ziankovich, who was in custody on charges of allegedly preparing an assassination plot on selfproclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko, has been released from prison in Belarus.
Source European Pravda, citing CNN Details Ziankovich was arrested in Moscow in 2021 and then taken to Minsk, where he was accused of participating in a USbacked assassination plot on the selfproclaimed president of Belarus.
The US State Department spokesperson said that Ziankovichs release did not result from a prisoner exchange.
After his release from Belarusian custody, the man was taken to neighbouring Lithuania, accompanied by US officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Chris Smith.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the information about the release of an American citizen from Belarus but did not name him.
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, Alena Dzenisavets, Ziankovichs wife, told CNN.
Background Chris Smith secretly visited Belarus and took three political prisoners with him, including an unnamed US citizen, in February 2025.
Media outlet reports suggest that the State Department suggested that Lukashenko release political prisoners in exchange for sanctions relief.
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