Belarusian leader releases 25 political prisoners after talks with Trump envoy – photo

Olha Romanska, STANISLAV POHORILOV - 16 September, 13:42

John Coale and Alexander Lukashenko during talks in Minsk. Photo: BelTA

John Coale, US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, has announced during his visit to Minsk that 25 Belarusian political prisoners have been released in exchange for the US lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies, and promised to push for the release of even more political prisoners.

Source: Coale on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "President Trump's commitment to direct diplomacy delivers results. Thank you, President Lukashenka, for this step, and thank you to our friends in Lithuania for their support. We will continue to improve US-Belarus relations and are working to secure the release of more people in the very near future."

Details: The US will lift sanctions on Belarusian companies Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom in exchange for the release.

Background:

Coale arrived in Minsk on 15 September. He held talks there with self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
It was previously reported that journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who had been released from a Belarusian penal colony, crossed the Belarusian-Polish border on 8 September. Poczobut was released at the end of April after spending five years in a Belarusian high-security penal colony.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.