It is with great relief that the Charlemagne Prize confirms the news of the release of the 2022 Charlemagne Prize winner, Maria Kalesnikava, with reference to her sister Tatsiana Khomich.

The Charlemagne Prize would like to thank all those who have worked steadily for the release over the years, including a large number of former Charlemagne Prize winners, as well as civil society actors and human rights organizations. This historic moment gives hope and underlines that the voice of civil society, European solidarity and direct and smart diplomacy make change possible. The Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, Armin Laschet, also warned: "Europe must finally take on a stronger international role in order to promote democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the long term. In addition to a clear stance, this also requires more diplomacy."

Aachen's Lord Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons is delighted: "I couldn't have wished for a better surprise and it would be a special pleasure for me to finally be able to welcome the Charlemagne Prize winner 2022 to Aachen in person in May. I am convinced that the joint pressure and appeals of the Charlemagne Prize winners, the Board of Directors and the City of Aachen have contributed to Maria Kalesnikava's release being achieved at diplomatic level."

Together with Svietlana Tikhanovskaya and Veronica Tsepkalo, Maria Kalesnikava was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in 2022 for her courageous commitment to freedom, democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Europe. She was already in prison at the time. She is still one of the most prominent figures in the Belarusian democracy movement today. As a musician and activist, she courageously opposed the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko and fought unwaveringly for free elections, human rights and democratic values - despite threats, kidnappings and years of imprisonment. Unlike many other opposition activists, she made a conscious decision not to flee into exile. In 2021, she was sentenced to eleven years in prison. In view of the recent significant deterioration in her health, her release at this time is of particular importance. It comes just a few weeks after the release of Sergei Tikhanovsky, the husband of current opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya, who was previously imprisoned.

According to reports, at least 123 political prisoners are currently to be released following mediation by the USA.