US EditionBelarusian Journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva Released After Serving over 5 Years in Prison
Belarus freed 250 political prisoners, including journalists and activists, as part of a deal leading to eased US sanctions on Belarusian banks and potash exports.
- On Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners after talks with U.S. special envoy John Coale, the U.S. embassy in Lithuania said it was tied to easing sanctions.
- Amid efforts to normalize ties with the West, Belarus's prisoner releases follow earlier pardons in September last year and December 2025, showing a pattern, the U.S. embassy said.
- Fifteen of those freed were sent to Lithuania, including journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva detained since November 2020, while the rest stayed in Belarus.
- Coale added that he expected Lukashenko may soon visit the United States and all remaining political prisoners to be released before the end of this year.
- Viasna reported that over 1,100 political prisoners were held prior to Thursday, and observers called the 250-person release reportedly the largest one-time release amid normalization efforts with the United States.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Belarus: Welcome release of 250 political prisoners must not be mistaken for justice
Reacting to the release of 250 individuals imprisoned in Belarus on politically motivated grounds, including human rights defenders Marfa Rabkova and Nasta Loika, as a part of a deal with the United States, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said: “While the release of hundreds of individuals unjustly detained on politically motivated charges is a welcome step, it must not be mistaken for justice. …
The EU head of diplomacy commented on the release of 250 political prisoners.
Deutsche Welle
Europe SaysBelarus releases 250 political prisoners as part of US deal
Belarus freed 250 political prisoners in its largest release yet — a move celebrated as a humanitarian breakthrough and tied to the easing of US sanctions. However, many remain behind bars.
American Faith
rmf24.plBelarus Releases 250 Prisoners
Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners as part of a deal with the United States. “On the ground at the Lithuanian-Belarus border,” said President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Belarus, John Coale. “Today’s release of 250 individuals is a significant humanitarian milestone and a testament to the President’s commitment to direct, hard-nosed diplomacy. Freedom is our goal. We extend our deepest gra…
Belarus' leader Lukashenko is close to Russia's confidant and supports Putin in the Ukraine war. The EU punishes him with sanctions and isolation. The US under Trump takes a different course: they approach him - in return, the head of state releases hundreds of prisoners.
Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva released after serving over 5 years in prison
New York, March 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva, who was among 250 prisoners freed on Thursday as part of a deal in which the United States agreed to ease sanctions against the Belarusian financial sector, and remove all remaining U.S. sanctions on potash exports. On the same day, U.S. Special Envoy John Coale met in Minsk, the capital,...
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