World News
Belarus agrees to free 25 prisoners in exchange for US sanctions relief
US envoy John Coale announced the deal following meetings with President Alexander Lukashenko.
Latest update: Belarus agreed to release 25 prisoners under an interim deal with the U.S. in exchange for sanctions relief.
The short version
- Belarus will release 25 prisoners as part of an agreement with the United States.[Deutsche Welle]
- The US will ease sanctions on two Belarusian companies and unfreeze tens of millions of dollars in bank assets.[Deutsche Welle]
- Human rights observers and opposition leaders emphasize that hundreds of political prisoners remain detained.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News]
Key facts
- US special envoy John Coale announced an interim deal where Belarus will release 25 prisoners.[Deutsche Welle · ABC News]
- In exchange, the US plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies and unfreeze tens of millions of dollars in Belarusian assets.[Deutsche Welle]
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied during negotiations that his country holds any political prisoners.[PBS NewsHour]
- Human rights group Viasna estimates that Belarus still detains between 887 and 912 political prisoners.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- Belarusian authorities have not publicly announced official details regarding the specific identities or release schedule of the 25 prisoners.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Belarus' authoritarian leader Lukashenko meets U.S. envoy to push for lifting remaining sanctionsPBS NewsHour - World · Wire: associated-press
- Belarus to release 25 more prisoners as US eases sanctionsDeutsche Welle
- Belarus frees 25 prisoners in exchange for the US lifting some sanctions, envoy saysABC News - International