Belarus Frees 250 Political Prisoners in Historic Sanctions Deal
Belarus has released 250 political prisoners, its largest release yet, as part of a deal to ease US sanctions. While a humanitarian breakthrough, many remain imprisoned.
Belarus has freed 250 political prisoners in its largest release yet, a move celebrated as a humanitarian breakthrough and tied to the easing of US sanctions. However, many dissidents and activists remain behind bars in the authoritarian nation.
The release, announced by the Belarusian government, comes as the country's President Alexander Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with the West and reduce the economic pressure of sanctions. The US and its allies have imposed a series of punitive measures on Belarus in response to Lukashenko's crackdown on pro-democracy protests and the forced landing of a Ryanair flight to arrest a dissident journalist.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Source: Deutsche Welle
