Belarus Releases 25 Prisoners Under U.S. Deal
Belarus Releases 25 Prisoners Under U.S. Deal
Anonymous
Key Points
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The latest release of 25 prisoners was substantially smaller than the previous March agreement, under which John Coale secured the release of 250 people.
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Belarusian rights group Viasna estimated that 889 political prisoners remained in custody at the end of August, including 185 people considered especially vulnerable because of their health, age or detention conditions.
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Viasna said relatives of some detainees had been told to collect them from penal colonies, while noting that common charges against prisoners include alleged extremist activity, conspiracy to seize power, incitement to hatred and insulting the president.
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The agreement is part of a broader discussion about potentially normalizing U.S.-Belarus relations and restoring diplomatic ties; Coale said the goal was to achieve “the things that normal countries do between themselves.”
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Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist released after five years in a high-security penal colony, crossed into Poland on Sept. 8, illustrating that some previously freed prisoners have left Belarus for neighboring European countries.
Belarus released 25 prisoners under a new deal with the United States, Freedom 96.9 reported. In exchange, the U.S. will lift sanctions on Lakokraska, a paint manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned forestry company. Special envoy John Coale negotiated the agreement with President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk and said both countries will work toward more releases and additional sanctions relief.
The release is part of broader efforts to normalize U.S.-Belarus relations. Coale said the goal was to achieve "the things that normal countries do between themselves." However, human rights groups say Belarus still holds roughly 900 political prisoners, though the government disputes that figure.
Smaller Release Follows Larger March Deal
This latest prisoner release is significantly smaller than previous negotiations. The Herald Review noted that in March, Coale secured the release of 250 people through similar bargaining. The steep drop suggests either that fewer prisoners qualified for release or that negotiations yielded smaller concessions this time around.
Hundreds More Prisoners Remain Behind Bars
Belarusian rights group Viasna estimates 889 political prisoners remain in custody. Of those, 185 people face especially harsh conditions due to health issues, age, or detention circumstances. Common charges include alleged extremist activity, conspiracy to seize power, and insulting the president.
Next Round of Negotiations Already Planned
KRRO reported that Coale plans to return to Belarus around one month from now to negotiate the release of hundreds more prisoners. The envoy's swift return trip signals that both sides see value in continuing these talks. The U.S. appears willing to trade additional sanctions relief for each batch of releases.
Some Freed Prisoners Flee to Europe
Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish-Belarusian journalist, was released after five years in a high-security penal colony and crossed into Poland on September 8. His journey illustrates a pattern: some prisoners freed in earlier deals have left Belarus for neighboring European countries rather than stay.
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