25 Belarusian political prisoners arrive in Lithuania after US-brokered release

Twenty-five political prisoners released from Belarus with US mediation arrived in Lithuania on Wednesday, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry said.

None of those released are Lithuanian citizens, the ministry said.

Lithuanian authorities assisted with border-crossing procedures and are ensuring the prisoners’ safe travel from the border to their accommodation, the ministry said. Some of those released did not have identity documents. Medical personnel were also on standby to provide assistance if needed.

Among those released are independent Belarusian journalists and other public figures, including Liudmila Chekina, the former general director of independent news outlet Tut.by; Pavel Belavus, founder of Art Siadziba and Symbal.by, a store selling national symbols and souvenirs; journalist and media executive Andrei Aliaksandrav; political scientist Tatsiana Kuzina; and Dzmitry Navazhylau, director of the BelaPAN news agency.

The release was agreed during a visit to Belarus by John Coale, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Belarus, according to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s adviser Dzianis Kuchynski.

As part of the agreement, Washington will lift sanctions on Belarusian paint manufacturer Lakokraska and forestry conglomerate Bellesbumprom.

Hundreds of people remain imprisoned in Belarus after authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, suppressed mass protests following his disputed re-election in 2020.

Washington has renewed dialogue with Minsk and eased some sanctions since Trump returned to the White House. Dozens of political prisoners have been released following Coale’s visits to Belarus.

Viasna, an independent Belarusian human rights organisation that monitors arrests in the country, says 912 people are currently recognised as political prisoners. They include protesters and other civilians, journalists, trade union representatives and people linked to the political opposition.

Human rights defenders and activists have warned that while the authorities have released some prisoners, others continue to be arrested and jailed.

Before traveling to Belarus this week, Coale visited Lithuania and met with Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.

Coale last visited Minsk in March, when Belarus released 250 political prisoners. After that visit, the US envoy urged Lithuania to restore the transit of Belarusian fertilisers and called for a deputy-minister-level meeting between Lithuania and Belarus.