At least six political prisoners pardoned in last few days – rights group
August 20, Pozirk. At least six political prisoners, including seriously ill ones, were pardoned and released in the last few days, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.
The news comes days after Alaksandar Łukašenka signed an edict to pardon 14 women and 16 men convicted of protest-related crimes.
Rights defenders do not identify the released prisoners for safety reasons.
Earlier, MAYDAY.TEAM reported the release of at least 12 convicts, in a possible “second wave of amnesty,” following the release of 18 political prisoners in early July.
Opposition politician Ryhor Kastusioŭ who was serving a 10-year prison sentence, as well as Daria Łosik, Tamara Astrejka, Śviatłana Łupač, Kaciaryna Madziankova and Palina Pałavinka were among the first batch of prisoners released.
As of August 20, human rights defenders identified at least 1,366 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.
Belarusian authorities have arrested about 65,000 people for political reasons in the four years since the August 2020 presidential election, Viasna reported in early August.
Łatuška on pardons: repression has only intensified
- Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityZapad-2025 moved inland, scaled down, Łukašenka confirmsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkrainian man sentenced to six years for attempting to smuggle draft dodger to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityPoland’s Tusk calls for tougher measures to stop asylum seekersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ deficit in goods trade widens to $2.6 billion in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security, SocietyDrones, energetic materials new majors in Belarusian higher educationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka accuses West of militarization ahead of Zapad 2025 drillThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyPrivate companies’ overdue loan debt rises six-fold year on yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyIndividuals’ overdue debt on loans up 23.6 percentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityDead Eritrean found near shared border with Latvia, Belarus saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Germany news, PoliticsGerman MPs join For a Democratic Belarus group’s new lineupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyPutin’s crony delivering goods from occupied Ukraine to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: concerns grow over jailed pundit Kaściuhova’s healthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyLibyan delegation in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUpper house approves fines for vegetable shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Belarusians should be grateful to his government for staying out warThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyWoman killed by hit-and-run Belarusian in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+