Belarus frees political prisoners in exchange for easing of US sanctions.
EPA/ Shutterstock Alexander Lukashenko met the US special envoy in Belarus ahead of the prisoner releases.
Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.
Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail.
In exchange, the US has said it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airplanes.
Many of Belarus's political prisoners have been in jail since Lukashenko brutally stamped out protests in Belarus in 2020, after he claimed victory in presidential elections widely condemned as rigged.
We do not need political prisoners or any other prisoners," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state news agency Belta. »