Aliaksandr Milinkevich, the distinguished physicist and political figure who successfully united the democratic opposition forces of Belarus to challenge authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka in the landmark 2006 presidential election, has passed away at the age of 79. His death was officially announced on Tuesday, marking the end of a life dedicated to scientific achievement and the pursuit of democratic reform in Eastern Europe.
Milinkevich's health had been in a fragile state following a highly complex surgical procedure last year to remove a blood clot from his carotid artery. The operation was followed by a critical, prolonged period in the hospital and subsequent extensive physical rehabilitation.
Born in Grodno, Belarus, in 1947, Milinkevich initially pursued a career in academia. After graduating from the faculty of physics and mathematics at the Grodno Pedagogical Institute, he worked as a local school teacher before earning his PhD. He later returned to his alma mater as an associate professor, authoring dozens of highly regarded scientific papers on quantum electronics and laser technology. Beyond the hard sciences, his academic writing also explored Belarusian history, culture, art, and education.
As the Soviet Union began to collapse, Milinkevich transitioned from academia into public service. From 1990 to 1996, he served as the deputy chairperson of the Grodno city executive committee. His involvement in national politics deepened in 2001 when he managed the presidential campaign of opposition candidate Semyon Domash. By 2005, Milinkevich was chosen as the single candidate for the united democratic opposition, setting the stage for his own run against Lukashenka the following year.
The 2006 presidential campaign was defined by Milinkevich's strong pro-European vision, but it was conducted under immense pressure from the ruling regime. Opposition activists faced widespread arrests, state-run media unleashed targeted disinformation campaigns, and candidates were threatened with criminal prosecution. According to official government results, Lukashenka secured 83% of the vote, while Milinkevich was credited with just 6%. The United States and European nations strongly condemned the election, questioning the legitimacy of the results and Lukashenka's third term in office.
Despite the official defeat, Milinkevich's courage earned him international acclaim. In late 2006, the European Parliament awarded him the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Immediately following the election, he also established the civic movement "For Freedom," leading it for the next ten years. The organization focused on promoting European standards of living, civil society, human rights, and democratic electoral processes.
Reflecting on his political philosophy, Milinkevich once explained his unwavering stance on the country's geopolitical direction. "By our mentality, traditions, history, culture and language, we are Europeans. For me, it has never been a matter of choosing which way we should go, east or west. For me it has been about returning to the European family from which we were forcibly taken into an empire," he said in an interview. He viewed the struggle as existential, warning that it was "about whether Belarusians will continue to exist in our own country. The master of the Kremlin does not recognise as a nation not only Ukrainians, but us as well."
Following the brutal state crackdown on the historic mass protests in 2020, Milinkevich was forced to leave Belarus, living in exile with his family. In exile, he continued his work by advising opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and founding the Warsaw-based "Free Belarusian University." He had long observed how the regime suppressed even minor signs of dissent, yet his optimism never faded. Decades earlier, in 2006, he had stated that "the humiliation people feel when living in fear, the violation of their dignity — this, I believe, is the root cause of all Belarus’s problems." However, his belief in change grew stronger after the events of 2020. "We have experience, we had the fantastic year 2020, when everyone contributed to the Belarusian spirit and the desire to defend their 'self', truth, freedom. After 2020, I am an absolute optimist, because a completely different nation was born. People overcame their fear," he remarked.
Tributes have poured in from across the international community. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her deep condolences, describing him as "a man of exceptional dignity, a kind soul and a brilliant mind" who served as a source of wisdom and support. "His devotion to Belarus, our language and culture, and his ability to unite and support people in the most difficult moments will remain with us," she added. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also paid tribute, stating that "Aliaksandr Milinkevich dedicated his life to the fight for democracy in Belarus" and promising that "Europe continues to stand with the people of Belarus."
