March 19, 2026

250 political prisoners released in Belarus. In response, the US lifts sanctions on several Belarusian organizations

250 political prisoners have been released in Belarus, according to the human rights organization Viasna. 15 of them were deported to Lithuania, while 235 remained in Belarus. Journalists reported that among those released were Belsat TV journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva, blogger and public figure Eduard Palchys, human rights activist Nastassia Loika, and protest participants Mikita Zalatareu and Siarhei Mavshuk. Kiryl Kazey, who intervened when a person carrying a flag was attacked, and former customs officer Mikolaj Kuliashou, who assisted political prisoners in crossing the border, were also freed. Later reports named additional individuals: Dzianis Zheliazko, convicted on nine political criminal charges; anarchist Pavel Shpetny; and activist Kim Samusyenka, a member of the 'Dzeyá' civic movement council. Earlier on March 19, Alexander Lukashenko met with U.S. representatives at the Palace of Independence. The U.S. delegation was led by U.S. President's Special Envoy to Belarus, John Kael. Following the talks, the U.S. announced the lifting of sanctions on Belinvestbank, the Development Bank of Belarus, and the country's Ministry of Finance. Additionally, within previous agreements, the Belarusian Potash Company and Belaruskali have been removed from sanctions lists. This is not the first time Belarusian political prisoners have been released following meetings between Lukashenko and U.S. representatives. On June 21, 2025, after Kael's visit to Belarus, Lukashenko released 14 political prisoners, including Sergey Tikhanovsky, a prominent leader of the 2020 Belarusian protests. Later, on September 11, Kael met with Lukashenko in Minsk, after which 52 political prisoners were released from Belarusian prisons and colonies and moved out of the country, including philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich and Igor Losik, founder of the Telegram channel 'Belarus Golovnogo Mozga.' On December 13, the day after another meeting with Kael, Lukashenko pardoned 123 political prisoners, with 114 of them deported to Ukraine. Among them were Maria Kalesnikava, a key leader of the Belarusian protests, presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. In exchange for the release of political prisoners, the U.S. lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilizers and the airline Belavia.