Minsk 14:34

Coale: US seeks release of all Belarusian dissidents by year’s end

(Pul Pervogo Telegram channel)

March 20, Pozirk. Washington hopes to secure the release of all jailed Belarusian dissidents by the end of 2026, John Coale, US special envoy for Belarus, told Newsmax after Minsk released 250 designated political prisoners yesterday.

The total number of people freed from Belarusian prisons with US engagement exceeded 500 so far, he noted.

Previous pardons of regime critics after talks with the US diplomats usually led to former prisoners being taken out of Belarus. However, this time, as many as 235 stayed in Belarus, while 15 were taken to Lithuania.

Those freed on March 19 include human rights defenders Marfa Rabkova, Nasta Łojka and Valancin Stefanovič; journalist Kaciaryna Bachvałava (Andrejeva), blogger Eduard Palčys, as well as Kiryl Kaziej, Alaksandar Kazlanka, Dźmitryj Kubareŭ, Mikałaj Kulašoŭ, Siarhiej Mavšuk, Alaksiej Mielnikaŭ, Kim Samusienka, Pavieł Špietny, Dzianis Žalezka and Mikita Załataroŭ.

The US lifted sanctions on two Belarusian banks, Biełinvest and the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, and the Ministry of Finance of Belarus.

BySol raising funds for prisoners to be released today

March 19, Pozirk. The BySol Solidarity Fund has announced a fundraiser for political prisoners expected to be released today. BySol seeks to raise €1,000 for each person released for basic needs in the first few weeks of life in exile. …
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