Lukashenko pardons 250 political prisoners following US delegation visit

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 250 political prisoners "convicted of extremist-related offences".

Source: European Pravda, citing Lukashenko's press service in a comment to BelTA, a Belarusian state-owned news outlet

Details: The press service said that the self-proclaimed Belarusian leader "was guided by the principle of humanism".

Earlier, media outlets reported that the Belarusian regime had released a group of political prisoners, some of whom were to be transferred to Lithuania.

Early and unconfirmed information said that those expected to arrive in Lithuania include Belsat journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva, human rights defender Anastasiya Loika, blogger Eduard Palčys, as well as Kiryl Kazei, Dzmitry Kubarau, Aliaksandr Kazlianka, Mikalai Kuliashou, Siarhei Maushuk, Mikita Zalatarou, Kim Samusenka, Pavel Shpetny and Dzianis Zhaliazko.

Background:

• Self-proclaimed Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with a US delegation led by US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy John Coale on 19 March.
• Following the talks, Coale announced the lifting of sanctions on several Belarusian banks and potash-producing facilities.
• Earlier, Belarusian opposition figure and former political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski said that the visit of the US delegation to Minsk was expected to result in the release of a group of political prisoners.
• Since the summer of 2025, after communication between the Trump administration and Lukashenko and an easing of US sanctions, more than one hundred Belarusian political prisoners have been freed.

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