Belarus Liberates 123 Prisoners Including Opposition Figures as U.S Lifts Sanctions
In a significant diplomatic move, Belarus has released 123 prisoners including key opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. The move came after the U.S. lifted trade sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key export for the country, following two days of negotiations between an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Background and Context
Belarus has been under the autocratic leadership of President Alexander Lukashenko for several years. The release of these prisoners, including prominent opposition leaders and a Nobel laureate is part of a recent rapprochement between Washington and Minsk. These negotiations are believed to be the latest diplomatic push by the Trump administration to engage with the Belarusian leader.
Key Developments
Among the released prisoners is Ales Bialiatski, a renowned human rights advocate and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, and Maria Kalesnikava, a central figure of the opposition who challenged the presidential elections in 2020.
The liberation of these political prisoners came after the U.S announced the revocation of some sanctions on the country, particularly those targeting the country's potash sector, as reported by several international news outlets including Al Jazeera English, Sky News World, CBC News, and South China Morning Post.
According to Alexander Shpakovsky, a member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, the outcome of the Belarusian-American talks aligns with the expectations of official Minsk.
Implications and Reactions
The lifting of the U.S sanctions on Belarusian potash will have widespread implications for the global fertilizer market. Potash plays a critical role in agriculture, with Belarus being a key exporter.
BBC News reported celebrations in Lithuania, where some of the released prisoners were taken. The release of these prisoners, who have been seen as symbols of the resistance against the Lukashenko regime, has been greeted with jubilation and relief by human rights activists and opposition supporters.
Current Status
As of now, the 123 prisoners including Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kalesnikava, have been released and are free. This move represents a significant shift in the relations between the U.S and Belarus, whose relations have been strained due to the autocratic nature of Lukashenko's regime.
While the release of political prisoners is a step forward, it remains to be seen what further actions the Belarusian government will take in response to the lifting of U.S sanctions.