Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent political figures, following the United States’ decision to lift selected sanctions in a move described by Washington as a humanitarian breakthrough after months of quiet diplomacy.
Among those freed is opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, who had been imprisoned for more than five years after becoming a key figure in the mass protests that followed Belarus’s disputed 2020 presidential election. Speaking after her release, she said the moment felt surreal. “It’s a feeling of incredible happiness. Even in the darkest days, we told each other: never give up,” she said.
The releases come after sustained international pressure over Belarus’s human rights record, with Western governments accusing President Alexander Lukashenko’s administration of using detentions and harsh prison sentences to silence dissent. Human rights groups estimate that hundreds of political prisoners remain in custody, though the latest development marks the largest single release in years.
US officials confirmed that the prisoner releases were linked to a calibrated easing of sanctions, though they stressed that broader restrictions remain in place. Washington said the move was intended to encourage further progress on human rights while maintaining leverage over Minsk. “This is not a blank cheque,” a senior US official said, adding that additional steps would depend on continued cooperation from Belarusian authorities.
Families of the released prisoners described emotional reunions after years of separation, while opposition figures in exile cautiously welcomed the move, urging the government to free all remaining detainees and end politically motivated prosecutions.
More Read
The Belarusian government has not publicly detailed the terms of the agreement but said the decision reflected its willingness to engage pragmatically with international partners. Analysts say the development signals a potential shift in relations, though trust remains fragile given Belarus’s close ties with Russia and its past resistance to external pressure.
Tunisian opposition leader, Abir Moussi, handed 12‑year jail term
