Belarus has released 123 political prisoners following negotiations that culminated in a visit by US special envoy John Coale to Minsk. The release includes prominent opposition figures, human rights activists, and journalists.
Released Individuals
Among those released were:
- Maria Kolesnikova, a protest leader.
- Viktor Babaryka, a banker who attempted to run for president in 2020.
- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, who had been serving a 10-year sentence.
These individuals had been imprisoned for their opposition to the administration of Alexander Lukashenko, particularly following the mass protests of 2020.
Diplomatic Negotiations
The prisoner release resulted from complex negotiations led by the United States. During this process, the US lifted sanctions on potash, a significant Belarusian export. European Union penalties and related policies regarding Belarus remain in effect.
The engagement with the US marks a shift for Belarus, which has been subject to Western political isolation. The US initiative coincides with its broader re-engagement with Russia, a close ally of Belarus, in efforts to pursue a peace agreement related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Post-Release Movements
Anticipating the arrival of many released prisoners, crowds gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania. However, initial arrivals included seven foreign nationals and only Ales Bialiatski among the Belarusian ex-prisoners in Lithuania.