Release of political prisoners remains priority – opposition leader

December 25, BPN. Belarusian officials are aware that the West can lift sanctions if authorities release political prisoners and stop supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said in her December 25 statement.

“At every meeting, I discuss how to help political prisoners, including my husband,” she tweeted. “For all of us, it has the highest importance.”

Everyone on her team has their own personal motivation to free political prisoners as soon as possible, Cichanoŭskaja said dismissing accusations of her office is not doing enough.

Those criticizing her team do not have any specific suggestions or plans of action, she added.

The politician stressed the need to consistently demand the release of everyone, as currently, authorities release one person, but take two more as hostages.

The regime can send a signal that it is ready to change its behavior and start a dialogue if new arrests stop and authorities release at least some more people, she said.

The release of political prisoners has been and remains a priority, Cichanoŭskaja stressed.

As of December 25, human rights defenders identified at least 1,442 political prisoners.