Rubio: ‘Innocent American’ Imprisoned In Belarus Under Biden Has Been ‘Unilaterally Released’

The wins keep on stacking up for President Donald Trump as he heads into the second week of his second term.

In a social media message on Sunday, recently confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that an American who was wrongly imprisoned by Belarusian officials under the Biden Administration was released within days of Trump’s return to the White House.

Thanks to @POTUS leadership, Belarus just unilaterally released an innocent American, ANASTASSIA Nuhfer, who was taken under JOE BIDEN! @ChrisWelbySmith from our team did a great job on this. 🇺🇸 PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@secrubio) January 26, 2025

OAN provided some context for the developing story:

Rubio also said that Christopher Smith, State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eastern Europe and Policy and Regional Affairs, “from our team did a great job on this.”

No further information has been released on Nuhfer or his release.

On Sunday, Belarus is holding its national presidential election. Currently, President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to get another term on top of his three decades in power.

Many of Lukashenko’s opponents are calling the election fake, similarly to how it was labeled in 2020, triggering months of protests. According to the Associated Press (AP), the protests led to over 65,000 arrests, with thousands beaten, bringing condemnation and sanctions from the West.

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Despite the fact that few details were available, the news quickly began to spread via social media:

It is a relief to hear that 🇺🇸 citizen Anastassia Nuhfer was released from jail in Belarus. She was reportedly arrested last month – her name hadn't yet been on the lists of political prisoners.

The regime must face pressure until it releases all hostages – both foreign citizens… pic.twitter.com/wef0Ot29jI

— Freedom postcards | Volnyja pashtouki (@v_pashtouki) January 27, 2025

Great to see Anastassia Nuhfer released from Belarus thanks to Trump's leadership

This is a huge win for American diplomacy and a testament to the strength of our nation under Trump's guidance

Thanks to Chris Welby Smith for his hard work on this issue, Peace Through Strength…

— Stop Socialist Tyranny (@endlibtyranny) January 27, 2025

The winning continues.

— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) January 27, 2025

Fox News also reported on the relatively little attention Nuhfer’s arrest has received in the U.S.:

No further information was immediately released about Nuhfer or her release, as some social media users marveled about not knowing an American had been jailed in Belarus during former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Meanwhile, Belarus is holding its national election on Sunday. President Alexander Lukashenko, a loyalist of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, only faces token opposition and is expected to get another term on top of his three decades in power.

Lukashenko’s more consequential opponents, many of whom are imprisoned or exiled abroad by his unrelenting crackdown on dissent and free speech, are calling the election a sham – much like the last one in 2020 that triggered months of protests that were unprecedented in the history of the country of 9 million people.

Here’s a clip of Rubio outlining his mission shortly after his Senate confirmation: