U.S. welcomes release of RFE/RL journalist, calls for release of all political prisoners

September 26, BPN. The United States “welcomes the release of several political prisoners in Belarusб including Aleh Hruździłovič, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist,” said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Price described the move as a “step in the right direction” and called for an “immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners” in Belarus.

On September 21, Belarusian authorities released Hruździłovič after almost nine months behind bars. The journalist was serving an 18-month prison sentence for alleged participation in protests, which he covered. Hruździłovič left Belarus immediately and said he was pardoned despite insisting that he was not guilty.

On September 24, authorities also released human rights defender Taćciana Łasica, who was serving two and a half years in prison. She was freed early after spending a year and eight months behind bars.

As of September 26, human rights defenders identified at least 1,344 political prisoners in Belarus.