Deportations forced upon released prisoners, according to opposition sources in Belarus
In a significant development, Belarus has freed 52 political prisoners as part of a US-brokered deal aimed at easing tensions in the region. The move comes amid ongoing efforts led by the United States to end the war in Ukraine.
General Keith Kellogg, a senior advisor to the American President, visited Minsk for talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to facilitate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The visit was instrumental in securing the release of the prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a prominent leader of the Belarusian opposition.
However, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in exile in Lithuania, has expressed concern over the prisoners' release, stating that it is not real freedom but forced deportation. She called on Western governments, including the 38 OSCE member states, to demand that Lukashenko permit political prisoners to remain in their home country and push for their immediate and unconditional release.
Franak Viachorka, Tsikhanouskaya's senior adviser, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that around half of the released prisoners were nearing the end of their terms. He emphasised the need for the prisoners to be allowed to return to their homes.
The prisoners, who were forcibly deported to Lithuania, have expressed gratitude for being pardoned. Dzmitry Kuchuk, one of the released prisoners, stated that he would have remained in jail for six more years without the deal. Some of the released prisoners have also thanked US President Donald Trump for his role in brokering the deal.
The agreement could be a sign of improving ties between the US and Belarus. Belarus has faced years of sanctions and isolation from the West due to its close relationship with Russia and its support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The release of the prisoners, therefore, represents a potential step towards normalising relations between Belarus and the West.
It is worth noting that Lukashenko is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move to release the prisoners, therefore, may also be seen as an attempt by Belarus to distance itself from Russia and improve its international standing.
The prisoners released this week represent the largest group to be pardoned by Lukashenko. In June, Siarhei Tsikhanouski was released along with 13 other prisoners following a high-level US mediation, specifically a visit by General Keith Kellogg.
As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how this US-brokered deal will impact the political landscape in Belarus and the region as a whole.
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