The Belarusian government announced on Saturday that it has released 123 prisoners, including a Nobel Prize winner and several prominent opposition leaders, in a significant move towards reconciling with the United States. The detainees were held on charges related to “espionage, terrorism, and extremism.” Among those freed are notable activists Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kalesnikava, both known for their opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.
This release follows agreements with U.S. President Donald Trump, which entail the lifting of sanctions on Belarusian potash exports, notably involving the major state-owned company Belaruskali. U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus, John Coale, affirmed the aim of normalizing relations with Belarus and indicated that additional sanctions would be lifted in the future.
Of the 123 prisoners released, 114 were transferred to Ukraine, while the remaining nine, including Bialiatski, were moved to Lithuania. Shortly after her release, Kalesnikava was photographed at the Ukrainian border, where she joyfully reunited with fellow activists Viktar Babaryka and Maxim Znak, both former detainees themselves. Babaryka, who was imprisoned during the 2020 elections while attempting to run against Lukashenko, had Kalesnikava stepping in as his campaign manager after his arrest.
Bialiatski, addressing the press from Lithuania, expressed his feelings about release stating, “being released means meeting with family, meeting with friends and continuing my work as a human rights defender.” His sentiments reflect a promising outlook for the future of human rights activism in Belarus.
This momentous event is not only a pivotal step for the released individuals but also marks a potential thaw in U.S.-Belarus relations, offering hope for future democratic reforms in the country.