Lukashenko frees 25 political prisoners as U.S. further eases sanctions
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Belarus released 25 political prisoners. (Photo: johnpcoale / X)
Self-proclaimed president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko
released 25 political prisoners in response to further easing of U.S.
sanctions, U.S. presidential special envoy for Belarus John Coale said on Sept.
16.
“Today, 25 prisoners are free! President [Donald] Trump’s
commitment to direct diplomacy is delivering results. Thank you to President
Lukashenko for this step, and to our friends in Lithuania for their support. We
will continue working to improve relations between the United States and
Belarus and will work to secure the release of others in the near future. We’re
not done yet!” Coale wrote.
Coale had previously said Belarus would release political
prisoners as a “goodwill gesture,” while the United States would in turn lift
sanctions on two Belarusian companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom.
“The release of political prisoners has begun. Some families
have reported that they can pick up their loved ones from prison this morning.
Some of those released may be expelled from the country, while others will
remain in Belarus,” Franak Viačorka, an adviser to opposition leader Sviatlana
Tsikhanouskaya, wrote on X.
Coale arrived in Minsk on Sept. 15 and met with Lukashenko.
During Coale’s previous visits, Belarusian authorities also released groups of
political prisoners, while the United States eased sanctions on Belarusian
companies, including Belaruskali.
Lukashenko’s press service said the Belarusian dictator
discussed with Coale the release of about $44 million in Belarusian funds
frozen in a U.S. bank. Coale said the United States had already contacted the
bank about the issue and was working on a mechanism to return the money.
In March, after a U.S. delegation led by special envoy John
Coale visited Minsk, 250
political prisoners were released.
U.S. authorities also lifted sanctions on Belaruskali,
Belinvestbank and the Belarusian Finance Ministry.
Lukashenko said at the time that the United States had
proposed reaching an agreement with him “on various issues.” U.S. President
Donald Trump publicly thanked the Belarusian dictator for the releases.
Ahead of Belarus’ Independence Day on July 3, Lukashenko
signed a decree pardoning 32 people, most of whom had been convicted on alleged
extremism charges.
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