Lukashenko pardons known political activist and 122 other prisoners

Belarus's self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 123 political prisoners after a meeting with US president's Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale, including one of the country's most high-profile detainees, Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of former presidential candidate Babaryko.

Source: Belarusian service of Radio Liberty; European Pravda

Details: Lukashenko's office announced a decision "to pardon 123 citizens of various countries convicted (…) of espionage, terrorist and extremist activity".

It has been reported that those released include Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of former presidential candidate Babaryko. She famously tore up her passport at the border to prevent her expulsion from Belarus and has been in prison ever since.

Officials have said this is happening "as part of the arrangements with the president of the United States and at his request – in connection with the lifting of illegal sanctions against the potash sector of the Republic of Belarus imposed by the administration of the previous US president, Biden" and in connection with "the move into a practical phase" of lifting other sanctions on Belarus.

The previous large-scale release of Belarusian political prisoners also took place after Lukashenko's meeting with US representatives on 11 September, when 51 detainees were freed. After Lukashenko's meeting with US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg on 21 June, 14 people were released.

Background: A few hours earlier, US president's Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale said that the United States had lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash.

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