Belarus Releases 123 Prisoners After US Lifts Sanctions
Opposition Activists Freed
MINSK — Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, following the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on the country. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski was also among those freed after talks in Minsk with U.S. special envoy John Coale.
Kolesnikova, who had been imprisoned since 2020 and spent much of that time in isolation, expressed her joy upon release. “It’s a huge happiness to see the first sunset of my freedom,” she said. “I feel unbelievable happiness to see and hug people dear to me, but I also think of those who are not yet free.”
Sanctions Lifted on Potash
The U.S. agreed to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key ingredient in fertiliser and one of Belarus’ major exports. Coale stated, “As relations between the two countries normalise, more and more sanctions will be lifted.” Belarus, closely allied with Russia, remains unrecognised as led by Alexander Lukashenko by the European Union.
Prisoners Transferred via Ukraine
Kolesnikova and 113 other prisoners were handed over to Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. After receiving necessary medical care, Ukraine said the prisoners will be transported to Poland and Lithuania.
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