Lukashenko frees 25 political prisoners as U.S. further eases sanctions

U.S. presidential special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, announced on September 16 that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had released 25 political prisoners in response to increased easing of U.S. sanctions, according to a report from WION. Coale expressed gratitude for President Lukashenko's commitment to direct diplomacy, stating that it was delivering results.

He added that the United States would continue working towards improving relations between the two nations and securing the release of additional prisoners in the near future.

Coale had previously stated that Belarus would release political prisoners as a goodwill gesture, with the United States lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom. According to Franak Viačorka, an adviser to opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, some of those released were reportedly expelled from the country, while others remained in Belarus.

During Coale's visit to Minsk on September 15, he met with Lukashenko. The Belarusian dictator reportedly discussed releasing approximately $44 million in frozen Belarusian funds in a U.S. bank. Coale confirmed that the United States had already contacted the bank regarding the issue and was working on a mechanism to return the money.

In March, after a U.S. delegation led by Coale visited Minsk, 250 political prisoners were released, and sanctions were lifted on Belaruskali, Belinvestbank, and the Belarusian Finance Ministry. Lukashenko acknowledged at the time that the United States had proposed an agreement on various issues. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly thanked Lukashenko for the releases.