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Trump envoy secures release of 25 Belarus prisoners as U.S. drops more sanctions
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners in exchange for the U.S. lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies, as part of ongoing negotiations led by U.S. envoy John Coale.
- The prisoners freed include prominent journalists and activists such as Andrei Alyaksandrau, Iryna Zlobina, and Liudmila Chekina, with many being transferred to Lithuania.
- Despite the release, Belarus still holds over 900 political prisoners, and opposition figures and human rights groups claim repression and arrests continue.
- The U.S. will lift sanctions on Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom, two Belarusian companies sanctioned since 2008 and 2023, respectively, and work to return frozen Belarusian assets.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denies the existence of political prisoners and rejects claims of ongoing repression, while opposition leaders emphasize the need to continue efforts for further releases.
