Belarus frees 123 prisoners, including opposition activist, as US lifts sanctions
Dec 14, 2025
Minsk [Belarus], December 14: Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the Eastern European country.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski is also among those who have been freed following talks in Minsk with US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale.
The US has agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a key ingredient in fertiliser and an important export for Belarus, which is a close ally of Russia. Coale said: "As relations between the two countries normalise, more and more sanctions will be lifted."
Kolesnikova has been in prison since 2020, much of the time in isolation. Her sister, Tatiana Khomich, who campaigned tirelessly for her release was able to speak to her by video call soon after and confirmed the news to the BBC. "She is free, she looks fine, she looks good," said Khomich. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
