Cichanoŭskaja: prisoner swap between US, Russia sets precedent for release of Belarusians

August 3, Pozirk. Belarusian pro-democracy forces were unaware of negotiations between the United States and Russia and had no influence on their outcome, opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said.
“A couple of days ago, when the hostage exchange between Russia and the US was happening, many of us were hoping to see Maryja Kaleśnikava, Andrzej Poczobut or Ihar Łosik on the lists,” she told the New Belarus Conference 2024 in Vilnius.
“Despite all efforts, the miracle did not happen . . . To forestall any questions, I assert that we did not know and did not participate in the process of these negotiations to influence their results,” she said.
She added that the exchange set “an important precedent that will help us to free Belarusians in the future.”
Cichanoŭskaja expressed gratitude to activists who help political prisoners and fight for their release.

BNR Rada on prisoner swap: US, European leaders ignored Belarusians' suffering
- PoliticsReprisals: jailed blogger reportedly refuses to petition for pardonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society“Culture is a strategic front”: Belarusian PEN highlights rights violations at OSCE conferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Belarus’ IVF births up 20 percent in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyActivists confirm 88 arrests over links to Biełaruski HajunThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- PoliticsRussian ex-intelligence chief confirmed as CIS secretary general until late 2028The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian diplomats welcome release of hostages from GazaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEDB: inflationary pressure eases in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsIrregular crossings from Belarus into Lithuania resume after five-day breakThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKalinoŭski Regiment announces command reformsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader demands Minsk reveal Statkievič’s whereaboutsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsThink tank urges EU not to mirror US policy on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsReprisals: Belsat head, journalists wanted in RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+