Łukašenka claims he is willing to consider pardon for Kaleśnikava

October 23, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka claims that he is willing to consider a potential petition for pardon from Maryja Kaleśnikava, his jailed opponent who has been in the spotlight since she underwent surgery two years ago.
“If there is such an appeal from Kaleśnikava, I will definitely consider it,” he told the BBC on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia, according to his press office.
Asked why Kaleśnikava is being held incommunicado, Łukašenka said her father had visited her and the rest of the family “may not be interested.”
In 2020, Kaleśnikava managed the campaign of presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka and teamed up with Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja after his arrest. Kaleśnikava was sentenced to 11 years in prison in September 2021.
In July 2024, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women called for an end to Kaleśnikava’s incommunicado detention. It urged the Belarusian government to immediately give Kaleśnikava access to a defense attorney and let her communicate with her relatives.
Kaleśnikava has been held incommunicado for more than 560 days, while her family members are forced to seek news about her from current and former inmates, her sister Taćciana Chomič said last month. Prison wardens are slowly murdering Kaleśnikava by denying her the diet she needs and by restricting communication with her family, Chomič said.

German minister: Kaleśnikava’s detention conditions reflect Łukašenka’s cowardice
- Politics, SocietyTrial of journalist Iljaš adjourned until September 12The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus holds 32 foreign nationals on political groundsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarusians register diaspora association in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityPoland extends no-go zone at Belarus border for 90 daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyŁukašenka wants crypto legislation fine-tunedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry adds 68 names to list of “extremists”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician sues ex-lawyer accusing him of sexual harassmentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights groups recognize 14 political prisoners, including a BritonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SecurityPolish military official: Shield-East to feature modern defense toolsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ deficit in goods trade widens to $3.6 billion in January-JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus leads world's alcohol-related deaths – studyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsDeputy foreign minister discusses bilateral relations with Swiss ambassadorThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolish retired general warns Belarus waging "hybrid war" against PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals target online activities as Minsk expands law enforcers’ powersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityKGB identifies arrested Pole as Grzegorz HavelThe material is available only to POZIRK+