### Belarus Releases Political Prisoners Amid Sanctions Relief Negotiations In a significant political development, Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including notable opposition figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and activist Maria Kolesnikova. This release is part of a broader strategy by President Alexander Lukashenko to improve relations with the United States and secure the lifting of economic sanctions that have been imposed on Belarus due to its human rights record and support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. The released prisoners were expelled to neighboring countries, including Lithuania and Ukraine, marking a pivotal moment in Belarusian politics as families are reunited, although over 1,000 political prisoners remain incarcerated [https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2025121300409/belarus-releases-prisoners-including-japanese.html][https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/14/foreign-minister-belarus-prisoner-release-good-news-1000-still-detained]. ### Overview of the Prisoner Release and Its Context 1. **Details of the Release**: - A total of 123 political prisoners were released, including prominent figures like Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kolesnikova [https://apnews.com/article/belarus-us-sanctions-39a85ae9a4303974c8c4a23be6d6b858]. - The release was part of a deal with the U.S. that involved lifting sanctions on Belarus's potash sector, a key export for the country [https://ommcomnews.com/world-news/belarus-frees-123-political-prisoners-in-sanctions-deal-with-us]. 2. **Political Implications**: - The move is seen as an attempt by Lukashenko to mend ties with Washington, especially following discussions with U.S. officials [https://conservativeangle.com/belarus-frees-123-political-prisoners-in-us-brokered-deal]. - Despite the release, over 1,000 political prisoners remain detained, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Belarus [https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/14/foreign-minister-belarus-prisoner-release-good-news-1000-still-detained]. 3. **International Reactions**: - The release has been welcomed by various international figures, including the Dutch Foreign Minister, who acknowledged the positive aspect of family reunifications while stressing the plight of those still imprisoned [https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/14/foreign-minister-belarus-prisoner-release-good-news-1000-still-detained]. - Bialiatski expressed surprise at his release after spending over 1,600 days in prison, vowing to advocate for those still incarcerated [https://wnyt.com/ap-top-news/nobel-peace-prize-laureate-and-others-who-took-on-belarus-president-are-among-the-freed-prisoners]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Prisoner Statistics**: - Total prisoners released: **123** - Notable figures among the released: - Ales Bialiatski (Nobel Peace Prize laureate) - Maria Kolesnikova (opposition activist) - Estimated number of political prisoners still detained: **1,000+** [https://nltimes.nl/2025/12/14/foreign-minister-belarus-prisoner-release-good-news-1000-still-detained]. - **Sanctions Context**: - The U.S. lifted sanctions on Belarus's potash sector as part of the negotiations, which is crucial for Belarus's economy [https://apnews.com/article/belarus-us-sanctions-39a85ae9a4303974c8c4a23be6d6b858]. ### Conclusion: A Step Towards Change or a Temporary Measure? The release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus represents a significant, albeit complex, shift in the political landscape. 1. **Key Findings**: - The release is a strategic move by President Lukashenko to improve relations with the U.S. and alleviate economic sanctions. - While the release has been positively received, the ongoing detention of over 1,000 political prisoners raises serious concerns about the state of human rights in Belarus. 2. **Next Steps**: - Continued international scrutiny and advocacy for the remaining political prisoners are essential. - Monitoring the impact of lifted sanctions on Belarus's political climate and human rights situation will be crucial in the coming months. This situation underscores the delicate balance between diplomatic negotiations and the pressing need for human rights reforms in Belarus [https://www.thehawk.in/news/world/belarus-frees-123-political-prisoners-in-sanctions-deal-with-us][https://observatorial.com/news/world/1558366/belarus-pardons-nobel-peace-prize-winner-ales-bialiatski-along-with-122-other-political-prisoners].