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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 47594, member: 636"] Sergei Tikhanovsky spent more than five years locked away from the world. The former blogger from Belarus sat alone inside a high security prison cell. Guards refused to let him speak with anyone during his long captivity. Alexander Lukashenko had ordered his arrest after Tikhanovsky challenged the dictator's power. The prisoner lost almost 60 kilograms during his harsh treatment behind bars. A special American team recently visited Belarus to help free political prisoners. Keith Kellogg led the delegation that met with Lukashenko about releasing captives. The talks resulted in freedom for Tikhanovsky and 13 other detained activists. Lukashenko agreed to the prisoner exchange to improve his standing with Western nations. The dictator wanted to start fresh conversations with the United States government. Tikhanovsky faced brutal conditions during his imprisonment at the hands of prison officials. Guards placed him inside tiny punishment cells that measured only three meters wide. The cells contained just a hole for a toilet and no comfortable sleeping materials. Officials denied him letters from family members and blocked all phone calls home. Prison staff threatened that he would die behind bars without ever seeing freedom again. The released activist reunited with his family after years of separation. His young daughter failed to recognize her father when he first appeared. Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana had become the leader of Belarus opposition groups during his absence. The couple works together to free the remaining 1,000 political prisoners still held captive. Tikhanovsky supports his wife's important role fighting against the authoritarian regime. [/QUOTE]

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