Belarus Frees 25 Political Prisoners As US Says It Will Ease Sanctions
The United States will remove restrictions on two Belarusian companies as negotiations continue, while rights groups say almost 900 political prisoners remain jailed.
- On Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, Belarus released 25 political prisoners expected to arrive in Lithuania following diplomatic negotiations.
- US envoy John Coale secured the release as Washington moves to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies: paint manufacturer Lakokraska and forestry group Bellesbumprom, with dialogue reopened under President Donald Trump.
- Among those released were former Tut.by head Lyudmila Chekina, journalists Andrei Alexandrov and Irina Zlobina, and activist Yana Pinchuk, previously extradited from Russia.
- Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release as a "tremendous effort," though the Viasna human rights group estimates almost 900 political prisoners remain detained.
- Rights groups warn that releases continue alongside new arrests and prosecutions, while Tsikhanouskaya pledged to keep international attention on those still detained.
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Twenty-Five Political Prisoners Released, Deported from Belarus
Click to expand Image TOR BAND musicians, former political prisoners, embrace their loved ones after arriving in Vilnius on September 16, 2026. © 2026 Human Rights Watch This week 25 former political prisoners arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania having been released from detention in Belarus.Their release was negotiated by the United States special envoy to Belarus John Coale with president Aliaksander Lukashenka. In exchange, the US lifted sanctions…
Belarus Frees 25 Political Prisoners As US Says It Will Ease Sanctions
Twenty-five freed political prisoners arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, on September 16 after they were released by Belarusian authorities. The US special envoy to Belarus, John Coale, said their release was secured in exchange for Washington's agreement to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies.
25 political prisoners released by Belarus have arrived in Lithuania. After the meeting of the United States special envoy John Coale with Alexander Lukashenko, the Americans lifted sanctions on two Belarusian companies in exchange for the prisoners. According to the Belarusian opposition, this is the price for human lives. According to the American special envoy, even more prisoners may be released, and the Americans intend to lift the freeze o…
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