August 16, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has signed an edict to pardon 14 women and 16 men convicted of protest-related crimes, his press office has said.
The edict appears to be the first official document confirming the number of those released as reported by human rights defenders.
The inmates pardoned include seriously ill and retired people, the press office said.
“All of them have admitted their guilt, sincerely repented and committed themselves to a law-abiding lifestyle,” it said.
“The signed act of pardon gives these persons a chance to redeem themselves before the state and society,” the press office said.
In early July, human rights group reported the release of 18 political prisoners, including Ryhor Ryhor Kastusioŭ, the cancer-stricken Belarusian Popular Front leader who was serving a 10-year prison sentence, as well as Daria Łosik, Tamara Astreika, Śviatłana Łupač, Kaciaryna Madziankova and Palina Pałavinka.
MAYDAY.TEAM reported the release of 12 more inmates in the last two weeks.
