Belarus pardons over hundred prisoners in deal with US

(MENAFN) Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 123 prisoners in a deal linked to negotiations with the United States, Minsk announced Saturday. In return, Washington is expected to lift what Belarus calls “illegal sanctions” on the country’s fertilizer sector.

The announcement followed two days of discussions between Lukashenko and US special envoy John Cole, which centered on “lifting sanctions” and “freeing prisoners.” Cole confirmed the talks but provided no further specifics. “We talked about the future, about how to move forward on a path of rapprochement between the United States and Belarus to normalize relations. That’s our goal,” he said.

Belarus’ presidency confirmed the sweeping pardon, describing it as covering citizens convicted of “espionage, terrorist, and extremist activities” under Belarusian law. While most pardoned individuals are Belarusian, the release also includes citizens from the US, UK, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Australia, and Japan. Reports indicate that several opposition figures jailed following the disputed 2020 presidential election were among those freed.

Notable figures reportedly released include Viktor Babariko, a veteran opposition leader barred from running in the 2020 election and sentenced to 14 years for fraud and corruption, and Maria Kolesnikova, chief of staff to opposition figurehead Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

The pardons are part of a broader trend of Lukashenko releasing prisoners amid ongoing rapprochement talks with the US. Meanwhile, Washington has eased certain sanctions on Belarus, including lifting restrictions on the state airline Belavia.

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