Belarus Frees 52 Political Prisoners Amid US Sanctions Relief for Belavia, Escalating Regional Tensions

Belarus released 52 political prisoners yesterday, September 11, coinciding with an announcement from the United States that it is lifting some sanctions on the country’s national airline, Belavia. This diplomatic move unfolds as Russian and Belarusian troops are set to commence joint war games today, September 12, following a recent incursion of Russian drones, some originating from Belarus, into Polish airspace.

The prisoner release, a significant gesture by President Alexander Lukashenko’s government, includes prominent figures such as veteran opposition activist Mikalai Statkevich and journalist Ihar Losik, along with 14 foreign nationals. While Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed gratitude for the release, noting that 52 is a substantial number, he also highlighted that over 1,000 political prisoners still remain incarcerated in Belarus.

The U.S. decision to relax sanctions on Belavia, announced by U.S. envoy John Coale, marks a potential shift in relations with the isolated nation. This move will permit the airline to service and acquire parts for its fleet, including Boeing aircraft, after years of severe restrictions imposed following the forced landing of a commercial jet in 2021 to arrest a dissident journalist.

However, the timing of the U.S. concession has drawn scrutiny. It follows closely on the heels of a drone incursion into NATO-member Poland, an act Western officials have condemned as aggression. U.S. President Donald Trump, in an initial response, posted on Truth Social, questioning the violation of Polish airspace. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya warned that lifting sanctions without systemic changes could create loopholes for both the Lukashenko regime and Russia to circumvent existing international restrictions.

For over a year, Lukashenko, who secured a seventh term in a widely contested January 2025 election, has sought to mend ties with the West, hoping to ease sanctions and end the country’s international isolation. This latest prisoner release and sanctions relief come after Trump and Lukashenko reportedly discussed the matter last month, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst a volatile regional security landscape.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.