Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump. Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists, and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail.
In exchange, the U.S. has stated it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airplanes.
The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia, after what neighboring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace. Poland is closing its borders with Belarus due to the Zapad-2025 drills, and Latvia is also closing parts of its airspace.
Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's actions, while the EU's foreign policy chief expressed concerns over the situation. Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, described the release of the prisoners as a humanitarian gesture, after meeting with Trump’s special envoy, John Coale, in Minsk.
The two discussed how to re-establish trade ties, including plans for reopening the U.S. embassy in Minsk, which had been closed following Belarus's involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus is keen to build an economic relationship with the U.S., having faced extensive sanctions due to its alignment with Russia. Some sanctions affecting national airline Belavia were lifted in return for the prisoner releases.
The airline faced sanctions after a Ryanair flight was diverted to Minsk in 2021, leading to the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich. Many of Belarus's political prisoners have been incarcerated since a violent crackdown on protests in 2020, following elections perceived as rigged.
Lukashenko stated, 'We do not need political prisoners or any other prisoners.' The 52 pardoned this week add to 314 others freed since July 2023 as Belarus attempts to improve relations with the U.S. and EU. Among the released were notable figures such as journalist Igor Losik and philosopher Vladimir Matskevich.
However, the releases come with the condition of exile for many. Former journalist Larissa Shchyrakova noted that she served her full sentence but was expelled. Additionally, Mikola Statkevich is reported to have returned to Belarus, defying exile.
Human rights organization Viasna confirmed that UK-Belarus dual citizen Julia Fenner was among those freed. She was detained upon entering Belarus last year.
While Trump sought improved relations with Lukashenko and Putin, this recent development shows a step towards easing Belarus's international isolation.
In exchange, the U.S. has stated it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airplanes.
The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia, after what neighboring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace. Poland is closing its borders with Belarus due to the Zapad-2025 drills, and Latvia is also closing parts of its airspace.
Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's actions, while the EU's foreign policy chief expressed concerns over the situation. Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, described the release of the prisoners as a humanitarian gesture, after meeting with Trump’s special envoy, John Coale, in Minsk.
The two discussed how to re-establish trade ties, including plans for reopening the U.S. embassy in Minsk, which had been closed following Belarus's involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus is keen to build an economic relationship with the U.S., having faced extensive sanctions due to its alignment with Russia. Some sanctions affecting national airline Belavia were lifted in return for the prisoner releases.
The airline faced sanctions after a Ryanair flight was diverted to Minsk in 2021, leading to the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich. Many of Belarus's political prisoners have been incarcerated since a violent crackdown on protests in 2020, following elections perceived as rigged.
Lukashenko stated, 'We do not need political prisoners or any other prisoners.' The 52 pardoned this week add to 314 others freed since July 2023 as Belarus attempts to improve relations with the U.S. and EU. Among the released were notable figures such as journalist Igor Losik and philosopher Vladimir Matskevich.
However, the releases come with the condition of exile for many. Former journalist Larissa Shchyrakova noted that she served her full sentence but was expelled. Additionally, Mikola Statkevich is reported to have returned to Belarus, defying exile.
Human rights organization Viasna confirmed that UK-Belarus dual citizen Julia Fenner was among those freed. She was detained upon entering Belarus last year.
While Trump sought improved relations with Lukashenko and Putin, this recent development shows a step towards easing Belarus's international isolation.
