Belarus Releases 25 Political Prisoners Following US Sanctions Relief

Belarus released 25 political prisoners on September 16, 2026, as the United States lifted sanctions on two Belarusian companies, according to US envoy John Coale. This release is part of ongoing negotiations that have been taking place for over a year between Coale and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The individuals released include human rights campaigners, political activists, journalists, and lawyers. Coale, speaking in Vilnius after the release, indicated that he expects to return in about a month with hopes of securing the release of 'hundreds' more prisoners. He praised US President Donald Trump for his commitment to direct diplomacy, which he believes is yielding results in improving US-Belarus relations. In March, Belarus had released 250 prisoners following a pardon. The recent releases occurred after Coale assured Lukashenko that US banks would return tens of millions of dollars in frozen Belarusian assets. The US also lifted sanctions on Lakokraska, a paint manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned industrial enterprise. Christian Wigand, the EU’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs, welcomed the release but noted that over 800 individuals remain arbitrarily detained in poor conditions. The Belarusian human rights group Viasna reported that many of those released had been sentenced to several years in prison. Among them was journalist Andrei Alyaksandrau, who had served a 14-year term for allegedly financing protest activities. He expressed relief at his release and mentioned that he had lost 30 kilograms while in captivity. Along with Alyaksandrau, three other journalists were released and deported to Lithuania. Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed happiness for the families of the freed prisoners but noted that many more remain imprisoned.