Belarusian authorities have released 123 prisoners, including prominent human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, following a move by the United States to lift certain sanctions on the country. The development marks one of the largest single releases of detainees in recent years.
Officials say the decision came after diplomatic engagements involving the US and European partners, aimed at easing tensions and encouraging Minsk to take steps on human rights. The freed prisoners reportedly include political activists, journalists, and civil society figures who were detained during crackdowns on opposition groups.
Ales Bialiatski, a co-founder of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, was jailed over charges widely criticised by international rights organisations as politically motivated. His release has been welcomed by human rights groups, who described it as a positive but overdue step.
The United States, in response, announced the lifting of selected sanctions, saying the prisoner release demonstrated “meaningful progress,” while stressing that further improvements in human rights and political freedoms are still expected.
Despite the development, analysts caution that the situation in Belarus remains fragile, with many political prisoners still reportedly in detention and broader reforms yet to be seen.