US EditionEU diplomat and opposition veteran among 52 political prisoners freed by Belarus
Among the 52 freed were 14 foreign nationals and veteran opposition figures following diplomatic efforts by the US, Lithuania, and European Union officials.
- On Thursday, Belarus released a group of 52 political detainees, including citizens from Belarus and Western nations, with many of those freed relocated to Lithuania.
- The release followed a U.S.-brokered deal involving direct appeals by President Donald Trump to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
- Released prisoners included opposition figures like Mikola Statkevich and journalist Iryna Slaunikava, who expressed desires to return home despite uncertainty over safety.
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda confirmed six Lithuanian citizens were among those released and urged ongoing releases, while Tsikhanouskaya called the deportations forced and urged the West to demand their right to stay.
- The release signals a tentative rapprochement between Washington and Minsk but raises concerns as some opposition officials expect rearrests and many political prisoners remain jailed.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Belarus Frees Prisoners in Bid To Court Washington
Belarus on Thursday, September 11th freed 52 political prisoners, including journalists, dissidents, and an EU staff member, in the largest mass release of detainees since President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed re-election in 2020. The move, brokered by Washington, marks an important step towards rapprochement between Minsk and the United States, despite deep scepticism in Europe. The release follows direct engagement by U.S. President Donald…
The Belarusian regime hopes that the Americans will ease sanctions and put an end to the isolation of the West. The political prisoners serve as a pledge.
The leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tihanovsky, stated that the release from Belarusian prisons of half a hundred citizens of Belarus and western countries, including Lithuania, was not real freedom, but also forced deportation.
Colorado Springs Gazette
The Straits TimesPrisoners freed by Trump and exiled say they would rather have stayed in Belarus
By Andrius Sytas
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