Belarus Pardons 123 Political Prisoners Including Nobel Laureate Ales Bialiatski

In a significant move, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has granted a pardon to 123 political prisoners, a decision that coincides with the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on Belarusian potash exports. Among those released is Ales Bialiatski, a renowned human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, whose release was confirmed by the Viasna Human Rights Center, an NGO he founded that has long documented human rights violations within the country. The pardoned group also includes notable figures from Belarusian activism, such as Valiantsin Stefanovich, the former vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights, and lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich. Furthermore, the musician Maria Kalesnikava, a prominent figure against Lukashenko's regime during the protests following the disputed presidential election of 2020, is among those who have regained their freedom. The release of Viktor Babariko, a former presidential candidate, has also been confirmed. The pardon aligns with agreements made between the President of Belarus and the United States, specifically at the request of former President Donald Trump regarding the lifting of sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Belarus's potash industry. The Belarusian presidency stated that the pardoned individuals were convicted under various charges, including espionage, terrorism, and extremist activities. As of now, the total number of pardoned individuals reaches 156, with the group encompassing citizens from several countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Australia, and Japan. This development marks a notable moment in Belarus’s ongoing struggle with political repression and international relations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2