Washington: Belarus frees innocent US woman

January 26, Pozirk. American national Anastassia Nuhfer has been released from detention in Belarus, the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said on X.
He linked the release of the woman whom Washington considers innocent to the “leadership” of the new US President Donald Trump. Rubio did not disclose any further details, noting only that Nuhfer was detained during Joe Biden’s presidency.
The news comes as Belarus is holding its seventh presidential election where Alaksandar Łukašenka, in power since 1994, wants to secure another term in office.
Rights defenders do not have any information on Nuhfer and her persecution in Belarus. The Viasna Human Rights Center reported that she is 48 years old.
Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has welcomed the release, expressing gratitude to the US for “advocacy on her behalf and for all political prisoners in Belarus.” “Every one of them must be freed. We will continue to fight for the release of all unjustly detained,” she has said on X.
Earlier today, Łukašenka has claimed that he had direct contact with the US without interference from exiled Belarusian opposition.
About a week ago, the state-run ONT TV channel aired an interview with Belarusian-US lawyer Juraś Ziankovič, serving a sentence for alleged conspiracy to assassinate Łukašenka. Earlier, the same channel aired interviews with journalists associated with the US-funded RFE/RL – political prisoners Andrej Kuźniečyk, Ihar Łosik and Ihar Karniej.
Last September, Ziankovič was allowed to reach out publicly to Trump, then a candidate in the US election, asking for help to return to the US as soon as possible.

Opposition leader praises Trump for pioneering sanctions against Łukašenka in 2020
- EconomyŁukašenka establishes Economic Court of AppealThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecuritySecurity chief accuses neighbors of building up forces at Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLatvian legislature passes new entry requirements for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsImprisoned opposition activist Kulša charged days before releaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus to press criminal charges against foreign officials for alleged mistreatment of migrantsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEuropean Parliament slams Łukašenka's reprisals against Belarusians abroad – ŁatuškaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRubel up 10 percent against US dollar at cash exchange offices since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSeimas committee backs additional restrictions for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyWarsaw moves to tighten criteria for Pole’s Card to prevent abuseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- SocietyPolice seize rare custom-made Belgian rifle, file criminal charges against hunterThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyDozens of foreigners arrested while crossing irregularly from Belarus into PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB raids target regime critics across BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOfficial brags about 70 uncovered "destructive activity" funding casesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights group reports KGB crackdown, detentionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRussian envoy pushes back hard against any suggestion that Russia seeks to absorb BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCabinet shortens list of goods subject to price controlsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian company to replace asbestos sheets with safe materials at Tbilisi metro stationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOver 30 call center scammers arrested in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUkraine sells almost $2-million worth of seized Belarusian fertilizersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyInterior ministry restores access to foreign travel restrictions database amid criticismThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsRights defender says Minsk conceals political reprisals, hoping for sanctions reliefThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyInterior ministry blocks access to database of Belarusians subject to travel restrictionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian man arrested in Georgia on drug trafficking chargesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics