Belarus will release 25 prisoners as part of a temporary agreement with the United States. This agreement, according to John Koval, a representative of the former President of the United States, is intended to demonstrate Belarus's goodwill. In return, the United States has decided to reduce sanctions on two Belarusian companies.
Details of the Agreement
John Koval announced at a news conference in Minsk, the capital of Belarus: "We have reached a temporary agreement, and as a gesture of goodwill, Belarus will release 25 individuals. In exchange for this action, the United States will lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies." Koval had previously requested the release of 250 prisoners during his visit to Belarus in March. He also noted that both sides are working on resolving remaining issues and the release of more prisoners.
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Companies Subject to Sanction Reduction
The two companies that will be removed from the U.S. sanctions list include Lakokraska (a manufacturer of industrial paints and coatings) and Belsbamprom (a state-owned company responsible for overseeing the forestry, paper, and pulp sectors). These sanctions were imposed in 2008 and 2023 due to human rights violations and the repression of political opponents. Koval also announced that the United States has decided to release tens of millions of dollars in Belarusian assets that have been blocked in American banks.
Political Prisoners Status
Currently, hundreds of individuals are imprisoned in Belarus, especially following the crackdown on protests against Alexander Lukashenko's re-election in 2020. Western countries have imposed sanctions on Belarus due to the severe repression of opponents by Lukashenko. The human rights organization Viasna, which is banned in Belarus, has stated that the government still holds over 900 political prisoners. These prisoners have been jailed on charges such as extremism and conspiracy to seize power.
In a recent meeting with Koval, Lukashenko denied the existence of political prisoners and dismissed Viasna's claims. Meanwhile, international criticism regarding the human rights situation in Belarus continues, and this agreement is expected to be an important step in improving relations between the United States and Belarus.
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