Belarus frees political prisoners for US sanctions relief
Belarus has released 52 political prisoners as part of an agreement with the United States that includes easing sanctions on Belavia, the national airline. Among those freed were 14 foreign nationals along with Belarusian opposition figures and journalists. This marks one of the largest prisoner releases under President Alexander Lukashenko in recent years.
In exchange, the United States agreed to relax certain restrictions on Belavia, allowing the airline access to servicing and parts for its aircraft. The negotiations were finalized during a U.S. delegation visit to Minsk, led by envoy John Coale.
Many of the freed prisoners were taken into Lithuania together with the U.S. delegation. Human rights groups and opposition leaders welcomed the release but stressed that more than a thousand political prisoners remain in Belarus, calling for continued pressure on the government to ensure broader reforms.
Lukashenko described the move as a step toward rebuilding dialogue with Western nations and reducing Belarus’s international isolation. However, critics warned that easing sanctions without concrete reforms could strengthen authoritarian rule without meaningful democratic progress.
