Belarus frees 25 political prisoners after US sanctions relief

25 Belarusian political prisoners freed in US diplomacy deal

Belarus freed 25 political prisoners on Wednesday as the United States lifted sanctions on two Belarusian companies, US envoy John Coale said after visiting Minsk. The released group includes human rights campaigners, political activists, journalists and lawyers.

The prisoners were taken to Vilnius, Lithuania. The sanctions relief covers Lakokraska, a paint and industrial coating manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned enterprise overseeing the forestry, pulp and paper sectors.

Journalists were among those released

Belarusian human rights watchdog Viasna identified journalist Andrei Alyaksandrau, who had been serving a 14-year sentence. Alyaksandrau said he had lost 30kg (66 pounds) in captivity and had not seen his wife, Iryna Zlobina, for four years. Zlobina was sentenced to nine years, according to Viasna.

Journalists Dzmitry Navazhylau, Kiryl Pazniak and Liudmila Chekina were also released and deported to Lithuania. Reporters Without Borders welcomed their freedom but criticised the expulsions.

What we know now

The European Union said more than 800 people remain arbitrarily detained in Belarus.
Four journalists were among those released and were immediately deported to Lithuania.
The release followed negotiations that lasted more than a year.

More releases are being sought

Coale said he expected to return to Belarus in about a month and hoped to see “hundreds” of people freed. US President Donald Trump had tasked him with securing the release of hundreds of prisoners. Read the context: Why England and Wales face a prison crisis over early release.

The latest release follows the government’s pardon of 250 prisoners in March. European Union foreign-affairs spokesperson Christian Wigand said Belarus should release all political prisoners “immediately and unconditionally”, while opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya said hundreds remained behind bars.