Rights defenders confirm release of 16 political prisoners

July 5, Pozirk. The Viasna Human Rights Center says it has information about three women and 13 men who were either pardoned or released under an amnesty program.
One of the released is Ryhor Kastusioŭ, the leader of the outlawed Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), who was diagnosed with cancer in prison. Another one is a mother of four, according to Pozirk.
Rights defenders do not disclose the names of the released to ensure their safety.
Two days ago, Alaksandar Łukašenka announced the release of his critically ill opponents and signed the amnesty law marking the 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis. The law does not apply to prisoners on the extremism register.
Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja welcomed the move, drawing attention to the plight of more than 200 political prisoners from the so-called humanitarian list, whose prolonged detention places their lives under threat.
The United States and the European Union called on Minsk to release all political prisoners.
“We are relieved by the news that they finally reunited with their families and loved ones,” said the EU External Action Service.
“There are still more than 1400 political prisoners in Belarus, including prisoners without any possibility to communicate with those outside for indefinite periods of time, with serious health issues, disabilities, over the age of 60, minors and people with mental illnesses. Some of these detainees require urgent medical assistance and have life threatening conditions.”

Washington calls for release of all political prisoners in Belarus
- PoliticsSCC 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
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: authorities step up censorshipThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council continues to work as usual after Mielnikava's disappearance – HlińnikThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPunjabi man goes missing in Belarus on his way to Europe – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus launches 5G investment projectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsEmbassy in Seoul advises Belarusians to stay away from rallies ahead of impeachment hearingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsFormer prisoner says authorities took over parents' apartmentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyUS stowaway found in freight car to be deported to LithuaniaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, Society
- SocietyThree Belarusian Railways managers to stand trial on corruption chargesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus' border guards arrest a Lithuanian suspected of drug traffickingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityMinsk region's officials to train in organizing territorial troopsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyDefense ministry: cannons to be fired in Minsk, Brest tomorrow at commemorative eventsThe material is available only to POZIRK+