(ANSA-AFP) - WARSAW, 21 GIU - Belarusian opposition leader Serghei Tikhanovsky has been pardoned and released along with 13 other political prisoners. This was announced by the NGO Viasna. Tikhanovsky, 46, had been in prison for more than five years. He had planned to run against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election, but was arrested a few weeks before the vote. His wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a novice in politics at the time of her husband's arrest, took his place at the polls before fleeing abroad. Lukashenko's disputed victory sparked the largest protests in the country's history, and they were harshly repressed. Tikhanovsky was sentenced in 2021 to 18 years in prison for "organizing riots" and "inciting hatred" and then to 18 months in prison for "insubordination." Belarus, ruled by Lukashenko since 1994, has banned all opposition movements and is the only European country to maintain the death penalty. "Today 14 political prisoners, including Serghei Tikhanovsky, imprisoned by Lukashenko's regime, have been freed. They are now safe in Lithuania and receiving proper treatment. The role of the United States in the release was crucial." This was made known on X by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys. "But this is not the end. More than 1,000 hostages are still in Belarusian jails. They must all be freed as soon as possible," it added. "Dear Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, this is fantastic news and a powerful symbol of hope for all political prisoners suffering under the brutal Lukashenko regime. Europe continues to call for their immediate release." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote this on social media after the release of Serghei Tikhanovsky, husband of the Belarusian opposition leader. "The release of Serghei Tikhanovsky and 13 other political prisoners marks a positive step after a long injustice. I welcome the U.S. efforts that made this outcome possible and share the joy of the reunited families. However, all political prisoners in Belarus must be freed." EU High Representative Kaja Kallas writes this on social media. (ANSA-AFP).