US EditionBBC World Service - Newshour, Belarus Frees 123 Prisoners as US Lifts Sanctions
The release followed US-led negotiations that resulted in lifting key sanctions including on potash, marking renewed engagement with Belarus after years of isolation.
- The US-led negotiations secured the release of 123 political prisoners by Belarus, culminating in a two-day Minsk visit by US special envoy John Coale.
- High-Profile names released included Maria Kolesnikova, Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Viktor Babaryka, banker and opposition figure.
- Taken out of Belarus to Ukraine were more than 100 prisoners described as moving 'from prison, into a war zone', while crowds outside the US embassy in Vilnius and a video of Kolesnikova hugging others soon went viral.
- Lukashenko gained renewed US engagement and secured dropping of US potash sanctions, while EU penalties remain in place and sanctions can be reimposed if necessary.
- Ales Bialiatski told supporters `Optimism and activism`, while Viasna warned many political prisoners still in Belarusian prisons and released activists urged continued efforts.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Germany Wants to Record Belarusian Opposition Figures Maria Kalesnikava and Viktor Babariko Released
Under pressure from the US, the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko released 123 prisoners, including prominent oppositionists. According to Interior Minister Dobrindt, two of them are now admitted to Germany.
Irish Independent
einnews.comBelarus releases 123 prisoners in deal brokered by US envoy
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko freed 123 prisoners yesterday including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and leading opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava in a deal brokered by an envoy for US president Donald Trump.
After their release from prisons in Belarus, several oppositionists have announced that they will continue to campaign for civil rights in their home country. Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize winner Beliatsky said that the fight will continue. Similarly, only a few hours after their release from prison, prominent Belarusian opposition leader Kolesnikova also expressed herself.
BBC World Service - Newshour, Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions
Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the country. Also on the programme, Cambodia has shut its border crossings with Thailand, as fighting continues despite US President Donald Trump earlier saying they had agreed to a ceasefire; and, how the British novelist Charles Dickens is being celebrated this Christm…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
