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Belarus Releases Nobel Laureate and Opposition Leaders in Deal with US
Belarusian authorities released 123 political prisoners on Saturday, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and key opposition figures, as part of a diplomatic arrangement with Washington that lifted American sanctions on the country’s crucial fertilizer exports.
The freed prisoners include prominent human rights activists, political opponents, and journalists who had been imprisoned during President Alexander Lukashenko’s intensifying crackdown on dissent. Many had faced lengthy sentences on charges widely condemned by international observers as politically motivated.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for more than three decades, has been seeking relief from Western sanctions that have severely impacted the country’s economy. This mass release represents the latest in a series of prisoner liberations since July 2024, viewed as a strategic effort to ease these economic pressures.
Among the most notable figures released was Ales Bialiatski, the 63-year-old founder of Belarus’ oldest human rights group, Viasna. Bialiatski was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 while imprisoned awaiting trial on charges of smuggling and financing public disorder. He had been serving a 10-year sentence in the notoriously harsh Gorki penal colony.
“It feels like I jumped out of icy water into a normal, warm room,” Bialiatski told The Associated Press after his release following 1,613 days of imprisonment. Despite his ordeal, he appeared determined to continue his advocacy work, noting that “more than a thousand political prisoners in Belarus remain behind bars simply because they chose freedom. And, of course, I am their voice.”
Another high-profile release was Maria Kolesnikova, a key opposition leader who helped organize the mass protests that rocked Belarus following the disputed 2020 presidential election. The 43-year-old former flutist became a symbol of resistance when she tore up her passport at the Ukrainian border to prevent authorities from forcing her into exile.
“It’s a feeling of incredible happiness!” Kolesnikova said upon her release. “To see the eyes of the people who are dear to me, to hug them, to understand that we are all free people now.” She had been serving an 11-year sentence and reportedly faced serious health issues during her imprisonment.
Viktar Babaryka, a banker and philanthropist who attempted to challenge Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, was also among those freed. His candidacy gained rapid popularity before authorities arrested him and barred him from the race. He received a 14-year prison sentence in 2021 on corruption charges that international observers condemned as fabricated.
The media sector saw significant releases as well, including Maryna Zolatava, editor of the popular independent news site Tut.by. Arrested in May 2021, she had been sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of incitement and national security violations—accusations commonly leveraged against journalists critical of the regime.
Despite this notable prisoner release, many political detainees remain behind bars. Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper and a prominent figure in Belarus’ Polish minority, continues serving an eight-year sentence in a maximum-security prison. The 52-year-old journalist has reportedly refused to request a presidential pardon from Lukashenko.
Other remaining prisoners include Viasna activists Marfa Rabkova and Valiantsin Stefanovic, as well as Eduard Babaryka, who managed his father Viktar’s presidential campaign.
The prisoner release comes as Belarus navigates its complex geopolitical position as a close ally of Russia. The country has faced multiple rounds of Western sanctions not only for its internal repression but also for allowing Russian forces to use its territory during the invasion of Ukraine.
This diplomatic breakthrough with the United States suggests a potential shift in Belarus’ approach to international relations, though observers remain cautious about whether it signals any fundamental change in Lukashenko’s governance style or human rights practices.
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7 Comments
This prisoner release seems like a tactical move by Lukashenko to gain some concessions and ease economic pressures, rather than a genuine commitment to human rights and democracy. But any reduction in political repression should be cautiously welcomed.
Curious to see how this prisoner release deal with the US will impact the economy and sanctions on Belarus. Lifting fertilizer export restrictions could provide some economic relief, but real political reform is needed long-term.
It’s good to see some opposition figures and journalists freed in Belarus, even if the motivations appear to be primarily economic. Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule has suppressed civil liberties for years, so this is a small step in the right direction.
Interesting to see these high-profile political prisoners freed in Belarus. Looks like a strategic move by Lukashenko to ease sanctions and economic pressures, even if it’s just a temporary concession.
Definitely a complex political situation in Belarus. The release of these activists and journalists is a positive step, but it remains to be seen if it leads to meaningful change or is just a temporary bargaining chip.
The release of Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski is a significant development. His human rights work has been crucial for Belarus, so this could be an important moment if it leads to greater freedoms and respect for civil society.
Agreed, Bialiatski’s release is a high-profile win. But the overall crackdown on dissent in Belarus under Lukashenko’s regime has been very concerning. Let’s hope this is a sign of more positive changes to come.