Belarus Frees 123 Prisoners Amid Lifting of US Sanctions on Fertilizer Exports

TL/DR –

Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including opposition figures and a US citizen, after the US signaled it was lifting sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports. This move comes as part of Belarus’s attempt to improve ties with the West, with US envoy to Belarus, John Coale, stating another release of prisoners might be possible in the future. The sanctions were imposed due to Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and have targeted key economic areas such as the country’s major fertilizer producer, Belaruskali.

Belarus Releases 123 Prisoners Resulting from US Mediation

Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition figures, following US indication of lifting sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports. President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s move is a part of Minsk’s ongoing efforts to mend its ties with the West after years of isolation.

Among those freed are 2020 protest leader Maryya Kalesnikava, Nobel laureate Ales Byalyatski, and several international citizens, including an American, as informed by an unnamed US official to AFP. The news was announced by US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the country, John Coale, who indicated the possibility of further prisoner releases in coming months.

Belarus had faced intense Western sanctions following its cooperation with Russia during the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite recent series of prisoner releases, hundreds remain in custody, many classified as political prisoners. All the political prisoners released on December 13 have safely left Belarus, with 114 arriving in Ukraine and the rest in Lithuania, as per Ukrainian officials.

Kalesnikava Calls for More Releases

Upon her arrival in Ukraine, Kalesnikava demanded the release of all political prisoners in Belarus. She expressed her anticipation for the day when everyone would be free. Coale echoed similar sentiments on X, praising US-Belarus relations under President Trump’s leadership.

Ales Byalyatski, after his release, reaffirmed commitment to the fight for freedom in a media briefing in Vilnius. The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed joy at his release, while the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the releases. Frydnes, the Nobel Committee chairman, stressed on the ongoing repression in Belarus with over 1,200 political prisoners still in custody.

Prisoner Release: A Result of Deal with Trump

Reports suggest the prisoner release is an outcome of a deal with Trump. The release followed the US lifting sanctions on potash, a major Belarusian fertilizer export. Coale held two-day talks with Lukashenko in Minsk discussing a broad range of topics.

Belarus is a top global producer of potash, a crucial fertilizer ingredient. Post the controversial Presidential election, US had imposed sanctions on Minsk, specifically targeting the country’s largest fertilizer producer, Belaruskali. Coale’s discussions with Lukashenko also included Belarus’ potential role in influencing Kremlin due to Lukashenko’s longstanding friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Reporting by RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, AFP, and Reuters

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