Belarus Releases 123 Prisoners in Deal with US, Including Nobel Winner and Opposition Leader

The Belarusian government announced on Saturday the release of 123 prisoners, including foreign nationals, a Nobel Prize laureate, and several leaders from the political opposition. These individuals had been held on charges of "espionage, terrorism, and extremism."

According to Belarusian officials, the release is tied to agreements made with the U.S. and involves the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Belarus's potash industry. The statement specifically mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump in connection with the deal.

U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale confirmed the sanctions relief in Minsk on Saturday. He told reporters that the U.S. is lifting sanctions against Belaruskali, a major state-owned potash producer in Belarus.

Coale stated that the goal is to normalize relations between the U.S. and Belarus, adding that further sanctions could be lifted in the future.

Among the released prisoners are prominent Belarusian activists Ales Bialiatski, who is a Nobel Prize winner, and opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava.

Of the 123 detainees, 114 were transferred to Ukraine, while the remaining nine, including Bialiatski, were transferred to Lithuania, according to the Ukrainian government.

Kalesnikava was seen shortly after her release arriving at the Ukrainian border, where she reunited with Viktar Babaryka and Maxim Znak, both former Belarusian prisoners. Babaryka was imprisoned while attempting to run against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 election. Kalesnikava served as his campaign manager and stepped in to replace him after his arrest.