Belarus Releases Some Political Prisoners Amid Tensions

Belarus has let go of 52 political prisoners, including activists, journalists, and union leaders. However, over 1, 000 more are still behind bars. This move comes after talks between Belarus's long-time leader, Alexander Lukashenko, and the US. In return, the US has agreed to ease some sanctions on Belarus's national airline, Belavia. This isn't the first time Belarus has released prisoners to improve relations with the West. Since July 2023, 314 prisoners have been freed. In June, 14 more were pardoned during a visit by a US envoy, including Sergei Tikhanovsky, husband of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. The releases coincide with joint military exercises between Belarus and Russia, its close ally. Poland and Latvia have taken security measures in response, closing borders and airspace. Russia has criticized Poland's actions, calling them confrontational. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, claims the releases are a humanitarian gesture. He met with a US envoy to discuss reopening the US embassy in Minsk, which was closed in 2022 after Russia used Belarusian territory to invade Ukraine. The US has lifted some sanctions on Belavia, which was previously sanctioned for forcing a Ryanair flight to land in Minsk in 2021. Journalists on board, like Roman Protasevich, were then arrested. Many of the released prisoners have been in jail since 2020, when Lukashenko cracked down on protests following a disputed election. Some, like philosopher Vladimir Matskevich and journalist Igor Losik, are now free but may face exile. Others, like Mikola Statkevich, have refused to leave Belarus, choosing to stay despite the risks.