Great News! Prisoner of conscience freed!

Belarusian prisoner of conscience Andrei Sannikau was released from prison in the northeastern city of Vitebsk on 14 April. He has thanked everyone who showed him support and solidarity.

Opposition presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau was sentenced to five years in prison in May 2011 for taking part in post-election demonstrations in December 2010. Amnesty International believes that the charges against him were unfounded, and that he has been targeted for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of assembly and expression. He was released from Vitba-3 prison colony, Vitebsk, on the basis of a presidential pardon, and he is now back at home with his family in Minsk.