Minsk releases 25 dissidents as US lifts sanctions on two companies

23:57

The Committee to Protect Journalists has welcomed the release of journalists Andrej Alaksandraŭ, Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ and Kirył Paźniak, who were among 25 prisoners freed on Wednesday by Belarus following months of US diplomatic efforts.

In a statement, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Director Fiona O’Brien says that “we are so happy and relieved” to see them finally walk free. “They should never have been jailed: while we celebrate their release today, we are painfully aware too of all the years they have lost, and the horrifying things they have been through, simply for doing their jobs,” she says. “Our thoughts are also with the other 18 journalists still in prison in Belarus. We call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release them.”

23:48

Former presidential hopeful and political prisoner Viktar Babaryka wrote on his Telegram channel that the liberation of Belarusian political prisoners should “remain the top priority.” He described talks with Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime as the only way to secure their freedom and stressed that negotiators should push for an end to politically motivated persecution in Belarus. “Because political prisoners are the ‘goods’ that the regime produces more cheaply than others,” Babaryka said.

23:39

Damon Wilson is President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, expressed gratitude to US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale over the release of 25 political prisoners in Belarus. “Grateful for @johnpcoale’s relentless work to bring Belarus’s political prisoners home,” Wilson wrote on X. “It was especially meaningful to have the Special Envoy with us at Mount Vernon last week to honor Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski with NED’s Democracy Service Medal. Every prisoner freed matters. And the work continues until all those unjustly imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms are free.”

23:32

The European Union has welcomed Tuesday’s release of 25 political prisoners and demanded freedom for all those imprisoned in Belarus for political motives. “Today, 25 political prisoners were released as a result of US efforts,” Christian Wigan, spokesman for the European External Action Service, wrote on X. “We welcome this step. 800+ individuals remain arbitrarily detained in appalling conditions. Belarus’ regime should release all political prisoners, immediately and unconditionally.”

21:39

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda met with US Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale in Vilnius on September 16, pledging continued support for Washington’s efforts to liberate Belarusian political prisoners.

“Lithuania values the consistent efforts of POTUS [President of the United States] as well as John Coale’s personal engagement, to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus.],” Nausėda wrote on X. “We will continue to provide the necessary support for these humanitarian missions.”

21:30

Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s aide Franak Viačorka noted in an interview with Pozirk that the United States removes sanctions against Belarus cautiously, avoiding sanctions relief for military enterprises, and warned that a surge in repression would trigger the reintroduction of sanctions.

According to Viačorka, the fact that Alaksandar Łukašenka denied holding political prisoners during his talks with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale shows that Washington is pressing the issue, because “Americans dislike liberating some prisoners only to have to liberate new ones later.”

Viačorka ruled out the restoration of potash carriage through Lithuania amid drone incidents and Russia’s “growing military presence” in the Belarusian territory.

19:42

The BySol Solidarity Fund has already collected the €25,000 it asked for in an emergency appeal, aiming to collect at least €1,000 for each newly released political prisoner.

BySol thanked all donors and said that the collection of funds would continue until October 16. “This is an important gesture of solidarity and human care,” it said. “Behind bars, people are told for years that they have been forgotten and that no one cares about their fate. Our collective support can help restore their sense of dignity, a feeling of stability, and a connection with those who have been waiting for them.”

19:22

Andrej Alaksandraŭ, a former deputy CEO of BelaPAN, expressed gratitude to all those who have supported him throughout his prison ordeal.

“In general, I’ve realized over these six years that I am a very happy person, because so many good people care about Andrej Alaksandraŭ,” he said. “I have received so many warm words over these six years, while I still had the opportunity to receive letters, from strangers. Of course, this is an experience that I probably wouldn’t wish on anyone, but I have drawn something positive from it.”

Alaksandraŭ said that he is in good health and looks forward to spending time with his wife, Iryna Złobina, who is also among the newly released political prisoners.

According to Alaksandraŭ, there had been signs that he could be freed, “but you can never be sure until you leave this bus and see the words Lietuvos Respublika.”

Alaksandraŭ said that all political prisoners want freedom and pin hopes on talks between US Special Envoy John Coale and Belarusian authorities.

• Pavieł Pietručenia, sentenced to six years over the project Black Book of Belarus disclosing identities of human rights abusers
• Andrej Alaksandraŭ, former deputy CEO of BelaPAN
• Iryna Złobina, Alaksandraŭ’s wife
• Ludmiła Čekina, ex-CEO of tut.by
• Pavieł Biełavus, former CEO of the symbal.by store and Belarusian cultural space Art Siadziba
• Taćciana Kuzina, co-founder of the Sympa school for young managers
• Jana Pinčuk, an opposition activist
• Alena Łazarčyk, activist of European Belarus
• Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, former CEO of BelaPAN
• Dźmitryj Hałavač, a Tor Band musician
• Śviatłana Jakubovič, a volunteer of the Viasna Human Rights Center
  Jaŭhien Juškievič, a former investigator
• Andrej Caluk, an opposition protest participant
  Jaŭhien Burło, a Tor Band musician
• Anastasija Łazarenka, a lawyer
• Aleś Čumakoŭ, a musician
• Kirył Paźniak, former BelaPAN journalist
• Janina Paźniak, a journalist
• Andrej Jaremčyk, a Tor Band musician
• Volha Strojeva, a woman sentenced for social media posts critical of the government
• Dzianis Salmanovič, a Cyberpartizans and Supraciu activist
• Dźmitryj Kołas, a book publisher
• Illa Vieramiejeŭ, a man sentenced for social media posts critical of the government
• Siarhiej Rabcaŭ, an opposition activist
• Kirył Hniaździłaŭ, a former policeman

18:22

US President’s Special Envoy to ​Belarus, John Coale, told ‌Reuters on Wednesday he expects to visit Belarus ​again around one ​month from now, hoping to ⁠secure the release ​of hundreds more prisoners. “I hope ​hundreds (are released). ​I ⁠don’t know. That’s my hope,” Coale reportedly ​said of his ​next ⁠planned trip to Minsk. “I’m confident that we’ll get ⁠a ​lot more out.”

18:12

The Country for Life Foundation has appealed for €10,000 in donations for shelter accommodation in Vilnius for newly released political prisoners, raising more than €3,300 within a few hours. The foundation also asks sympathizers to donate clothes, equipment and hygiene items.

The BySol Solidarity Fund has already raised €19,500 after appealing for €25,000 for the dissidents, aiming to collect at least €1,000 per person.

15:22

Opposition politician Pavieł Łatuška on X:

I thank @johnpcoale
for saving 25 more people from the Lukashenka regime’s prisons on behalf of President @realDonaldTrump
. Your work is invaluable. Despite the lies Lukashenka told—that there is no repression and no political prisoners in Belarus—unprecedented repression continues. According to @viasna96
, 886 political prisoners remain in the regime’s prisons, while @dissident_tweet
reports 948.

14:37

Reporters Without Borders on X:

“RSF welcomes the release of Dzmitry Navazhylau, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Iryna Zlobina, and Kiryl Pazniak. But forcing them into exile in Lithuania is brutal. All journalists still detained must be released immediately and without condition.”

14:22

People released today are:
Pavieł Pietručenia, sentenced to six years over the project Black Book of Belarus disclosing identities of human rights abusers

Andrej Alaksandraŭ, former deputy CEO of BelaPAN

Iryna Złobina, Alaksandraŭ’s wife

Ludmiła Čekina, ex-CEO of tut.by

Pavieł Biełavus, former CEO of the symbal.by store and Belarusian cultural space Art Siadziba

Taćciana Kuzina, co-founder of the Sympa school for young managers

Jana Pinčuk, an opposition activist

Alena Łazarčyk, activist of European Belarus

Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, former CEO of BelaPAN

Dźmitryj Hałavač, a Tor Band musician

Śviatłana Jakubovič, a volunteer of the Viasna Human Rights Center
Jaŭhien Juškievič, a former investigator

Andrej Caluk, an opposition protest participant
Jaŭhien Burło, a Tor Band musician

Anastasija Łazarenka, a lawyer

Aleś Čumakoŭ, a musician

Kirył Paźniak, former BelaPAN journalist

Janina Paźniak, a journalist

Andrej Jaremčyk, a Tor Band musician

Volha Strojeva, a woman sentenced for social media posts critical of the government

Dzianis Salmanovič, a Cyberpartizans and Supraciu activist

Dźmitryj Kołas, a book publisher

Illa Vieramiejeŭ, a man sentenced for social media posts critical of the government

Siarhiej Rabcaŭ, an opposition activist

Kirył Hniaździłaŭ, a former policeman

13:59

The BySol Solidarity Fund has launched an emergency fundraiser for 25 recently freed dissidents, aiming to collect at least €1,000 per person.
The activists said that release does not erase the consequences of reprisals, with former prisoners often suffering from anxiety, poor health, social isolation and difficulties returning to normal life. They have to rebuild their lives by replacing documents, seeking medical care, finding housing and work, and purchasing basic necessities.
The fundraiser, which has already collected more than €4,800, will continue until October 16.
BySol described it as an important gesture of solidarity and human compassion. “Our collective support will help restore their sense of self-worth, a feeling of support and a connection to the people who have been waiting for them,” it said.

13:00

Those released also include journalist Kiryl Pazniak.

Alaksandraŭ and his girlfriend Iryna Złobina were arrested on January 12, 2021.

In October 2022, judge Viačasłaŭ Tulejka of the Minsk Regional Court sentenced Alaksandraŭ to 14 years in prison and Złobina to nine years, on charges widely seen as politically motivated, including high treason, tax evasion and organizing actions grossly disturbing public order. Rights groups consider both political prisoners. They married in custody in September 2022.

Navažyłaŭ headed BelaPAN from August 2018, following the death of founder Aleś Lipaj, until January 2021. He was arrested on August 18, 2021, together with Iryna Leŭšyna, the editor-in-chief who succeeded him as CEO. He had less than three months left to his sentence. Now that he has been taken to Lithuania, he may not be able to return to Belarus soon.

12:55

The group of dissidents freed after Coale’s talks with Lukašenka includes former BelaPAN CEO Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ, media manager Andrej Alaksandaraŭ and his wife Iryna Złobina, according to a picture posted on Coale’s X account.

The photo also features other well-known designated political prisoners. All of them are now in Lithuania.

12:52

12:42

Coale said the negotiations had required considerable time. “I think we are making great progress and everything will continue,” he said in a video posted by Pul Pervogo.

The sides reached an interim agreement, with Minsk agreeing to free 25 people as a sign of goodwill, the diplomat noted. The sides would continue addressing the remaining issues and once a final agreement is reached, additional individuals will be released and sanctions against Belarusian companies will be lifted, he added.

12:38

Coale on X:

“25 prisoners are free today! President Trump’s commitment to direct diplomacy delivers results. Thank you, President Lukashenka, for this step, and thank you to our friends in Lithuania for their support. We will continue to improve US-Belarus relations and are working to secure the release of more people in the very near future. We are not finished!”

12:20

September 16, Pozirk. Minsk has agreed to release 25 jailed Belarusian regime critics in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions against Biełlesbumpram and Łakafarba, Belarusian producers of wood products and paints, respectively, the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel linked to Alaksandar Łukašenka says.

According to Pozirk’s information, the agreements reached by Coale at his meeting with the Belarusian ruler yesterday require the released dissidents to leave Belarus.

During his previous visit to Minsk in March, Coale secured the release of 250 political prisoners. Fifteen were taken out of the country, while the rest were allowed to stay in Belarus. In return, Washington lifted some sanctions, including those on potash companies.

Coale had reportedly hoped to secure the release of 200 to 300 jailed regime critics during this visit to Minsk, while Łukašenka said he was open to both “small and grand bargains” with the US president, indicating that he was ready to free more prisoners.