Belarus Releases Political Prisoners in Sanctions Bargain with the US

Wed Oct 22 2025 03:47:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant development, Belarus has released 52 political prisoners as part of a deal to ease US sanctions, highlighting an effort to improve diplomatic relations amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Belarus has freed 52 political prisoners, including journalists and activists, in a deal involving the easing of sanctions by the United States. This move comes as Belarus seeks to mend ties with the West following years of isolation due to its authoritarian regime and involvement in regional conflicts. However, more than 1,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated, and concerns over human rights abuses persist.

Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.

Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail.

In exchange, the US has said it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airplanes.

The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia, and after what neighbouring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace.

Poland is closing its borders with Belarus because of the Zapad-2025 drills, which last until Tuesday. Latvia is closing part of its airspace as well.

Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's leadership for its confrontational steps in closing the border. Meanwhile, the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, told the BBC World Service's Newshour that Putin is mocking the efforts by the West to deal with him.

Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, described the release of the prisoners as a humanitarian gesture, after meeting Trump special envoy John Coale in Minsk.

They discussed how to re-establish a trade relationship, including reopening the US embassy in the capital, closed since February 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.

Belarus, eager to build an economic relationship with the US, has faced significant sanctions because of its ties to the conflict.

The airline Belavia was sanctioned following a notorious incident involving the forced landing of a Ryanair jet in 2021, leading to the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich.

The 52 freed prisoners include notable figures like 69-year-old philosopher Vladimir Matskevich and journalist Igor Losik.

Most political prisoners were jailed following Lukashenko's crackdown on protests after the disputed 2020 presidential elections.

In a statement reflecting his views, Lukashenko commented, The Americans are taking a very constructive stance on the so-called political prisoners... We do not need political prisoners or any other prisoners.

This release, the largest since July 2023, is seen as an attempt by Belarus to soften its relationship with the West, as acknowledged by Human Rights Watch.

Despite the releases, many former prisoners face the stark reality of exile; Lukashenko's decisions continue to raise concerns regarding human rights abuses in Belarus.