Rubio announces the release of 47th 'unjustly detained' American during second Trump administration

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced that the 47th American who was "unjustly detained" overseas has been released, who had been imprisoned in Belarus since 2021. 

Youras Ziankovich, who was arrested in Russia but transported to Belarus on allegations that he was involved in a U.S.-backed coup plot against the country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, was given to American authorities earlier this week.

Rubio touted Ziankovich's release in a statement on social media, and also highlighted the returns of other wrongly imprisoned Americans from countries like Afghanistan, Russia and Venezuela. 

“Thanks to [President Donald Trump's] leadership, Belarus has released another wrongfully detained U.S. citizen,” Rubio posted to X. “No president has done so much, so quickly, to keep Americans safe abroad.

"In just 100 days, we've also secured the release of 47 unjustly detained Americans around the world – including in Afghanistan, Russia and Venezuela – through high-level diplomatic efforts," he added.

The Trump administration also secured the release of two other Americans from Belarus earlier this year, one of whom's identity is anonymous, according to the Daily Wire. Both were taken back to the U.S. in February.

Ziankovich is expected to return to the United States on Thursday, Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler told CNN. He is currently in Lithuania.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.