Belarus Releases Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Agreement, Including Key Opposition Figures

Belarus has announced the release of 123 detainees, among them prominent opposition figures such as Maria Kalesnikava, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, and former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, following negotiations facilitated by the United States.

This release coincided with the recent lifting of «illegal» U.S. sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector and discussions in Washington aimed at removing further sanctions against the country, as reported by President Alexander Lukashenko’s press office.

According to an advisor to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, all individuals released are now outside of Belarus.

Maria Kalesnikava, aged 43, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2021 for leading significant protests against Lukashenko’s contested re-election in 2020. She opted not to go into exile, famously tearing her passport at the Belarus-Ukraine border, and was ultimately charged with undermining national security and conspiring for a power takeover.

Following her release, Kalesnikava’s sister, Tatsiana Khomich, shared her joy on social media, stating, «I just had a video call with Maria. She’s free! I can’t put into words how happy I am! I can’t wait to embrace her again.»

The Belarusian human rights organization Viasna confirmed that Bialiatski was also released during this operation.

At 63, Bialiatski was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2023 for charges related to smuggling and financing activities deemed to severely disrupt public order, which drew significant criticism from Western countries.

Viktar Babaryka, 62, a former banker whose 2020 presidential campaign was handled by Kalesnikava before his detention, was serving a 14-year sentence for alleged fraud and money laundering, charges he denies. Zerkalo, an exiled news outlet, reported that he was among those released on Saturday.

The individuals freed had faced various charges, including espionage, terrorism, and extremism, and included citizens from the United States and Latvia.

Since the protests in 2020, which saw massive participation from Belarusians demanding fair elections, Belarus has implemented a harsh crackdown on dissent, with many critics being charged with «extremism» and receiving lengthy prison sentences.

Minsk has been working to enhance relations with the United States since President Donald Trump resumed office this year, releasing numerous political prisoners, including prominent opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski in recent months.

As of November 2025, Viasna estimates that Belarus has at least 1,200 political prisoners.

This situation is ongoing.