Belarus has released 123 detainees, among them opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, and former presidential contender Viktar Babaryka, in an arrangement facilitated by the United States.
The release of these prisoners is linked to the recent removal of “illegal” U.S. sanctions affecting the Belarusian potash industry, as well as ongoing discussions about lifting additional sanctions against Belarus, according to a statement from President Alexander Lukashenko’s press office.
An advisor to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya confirmed that all released individuals are now outside of Belarus.
Kalesnikava, 43 years old, was sentenced to 11 years in prison back in 2021 for her role in leading significant protests against Lukashenko’s controversial re-election in 2020. She notably refused to leave the country, famously tearing her passport at the Belarus-Ukraine border, but was ultimately imprisoned for alleged violations of national security and conspiracy to seize power.
“I just had a video call with Maria,” Kalesnikava’s sister, Tatsiana Khomich, stated on X following the news of her release. “She is free! I can’t express how happy I am! I can’t wait to embrace her again.”
The Belarusian human rights organization Viasna reported that Bialiatski was among those released.
Bialiatski, aged 63, faced a 10-year prison sentence in 2023 for charges related to smuggling and financing activities deemed to violate public order, a ruling that has drawn significant backlash from Western nations.
Babaryka, 62, a former banker who had Kalesnikava managing his presidential campaign in 2020 before his arrest, received a 14-year sentence on accusations of fraud and money laundering, which he claims are unfounded.
The exiled media outlet Zerkalo reported that he was also included in the group of prisoners released on Saturday.
The individuals freed had been convicted on various charges, including espionage, terrorism, and extremism, and included people from other countries, such as the United States and Latvia.
Belarus has implemented a widespread and often violent repression of opposition activists and citizens who speak out against Lukashenko since the mass protests in 2020, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets demanding fair elections.
Critics have often been charged with “extremism” and handed lengthy prison sentences.
In recent months, Minsk has been trying to strengthen its diplomatic relations with the U.S., having freed dozens of political prisoners, including prominent opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski, since Donald Trump returned to the presidency this year.
As of November 2025, Viasna estimates indicated that Belarus held at least 1,200 political prisoners.
This news story is ongoing.
