Belarusian prisoners celebrate release after US lifts sanctions

Rumors have been circulating for several days that a major prisoner will be released from Belarus.

But no one would reveal the names or the exact number on the list until everyone was safely out and finally free.

A total of 123 political prisoners were released, including the most well-known Belarusian opposition politicians, human rights activists and journalists.

Protest leader Maria Kolesnikova, with the famous red lipstick smile, was also on the eviction list.

A video of him jumping with joy and hugging other former prisoners, happy to be reunited, quickly went viral on social media. Then someone else came on the bus from Belarus and thanked everyone who helped make this moment happen.

“It’s an incredible feeling of happiness to see those who are dear to me, to hug them and to understand that we are all free,” Masha, as she is best known, told the camera, her lips painted red again. he said.

He said the first sunset of his freedom was a beautiful thing.

“But I also think of those who are not yet free, and I am waiting for the moment when we can all embrace, when we will all be free.”

Also out is banker Viktor Babaryka, who tried to run for president in 2020 but was jailed before the elections even started.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski was also released from 10 years in prison.

They were all jailed for opposing the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko, whose security forces suppressed mass protests in 2020 with brutal force. These were the greatest challenge to his rule he had ever faced.

The release of the prisoners is the result of long and complex US-led negotiations that culminated in a two-day visit to Minsk this week by Donald Trump’s new special envoy, John Coale.

For Lukashenko, this interaction is a win in itself: after years spent as a political pariah in the West, he is clearly happy to have reached an agreement with the United States again.

But as a more tangible reward, he also secured the lifting of US sanctions on potassium, a key export for his country. EU penalties and tougher policies are still in effect.

It’s not entirely clear what Trump will gain from this. But Belarus is a close ally of Russia, including in its war against Ukraine, and the move comes as the United States also re-engages with Moscow seeking a peace deal.

The dozens of prisoners Lukashenko agreed to release were always expected to arrive here in Vilnius, Lithuania; where a crowd of their friends, relatives and fellow activists gathered outside the U.S. embassy in freezing temperatures to greet them.

Some arrived draped in Belarus’ red-and-white opposition flag.

Masha Kolesnikova’s sister Tatsiana Khomich, who has been campaigning for her release for more than five years, couldn’t stop smiling. “I just talked to Masha,” he told me after a video call.

Kolesnikova, who became a professional flautist ahead of the disputed 2020 election, spent most of her more than five-year sentence in complete isolation, refusing even letters and phone calls to her family.

“He’s fine, he’s fine. I just want to hug him. I still can’t believe it,” his sister said.

Suddenly there was commotion in the crowd: A police car with blue lights flashing was heading towards the gates of the US embassy, ​​ahead of a small convoy of other vehicles.

However, it was not possible for all 123 former prisoners to be inside. Instead, we learned that only seven foreign nationals and Ales Bialiatski, a Belarusian, were brought to Lithuania.

Others, including Kolesnikova, had been taken from Belarus to Ukraine, from prison to the war zone.

Staying in their home country is not usually an option.

“Lukashenko’s idea, who else?” How did the team of one of the opposition leaders, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, interpret the surprising move towards Ukraine? Apparently, he had decided to make one last power play so that their long-awaited family reunion would be postponed.

So what will be the price paid for that moment? Tikhanovskaya is a friend and political ally of Masha Kolesnikova, but she always calls for the West to put maximum pressure on Lukashenko.

So, I wondered, has the United States gone too far?

“This is a negotiation process. Of course, it would be good for us if nothing is given to Lukashenko. Because all these people are hostages of his regime. They are innocent.

“But that’s how negotiations work,” he replied, before noting that sanctions could always be reimposed if necessary.

“President Trump now uses carrots. He can also use sticks.”

A few feet away, a man waving a giant flag worried that Lukashenko would take more captives. He said it wasn’t an immediate sign of humanity.

After a short stay at the US embassy, ​​Ales Bialiatski went out onto the street to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.

Skinny, with his head shaved and still wearing his padded blue prison jacket, the man admitted that he was dizzy from all the emotions he was feeling after four years in prison.

“I was blindfolded in Belarus, driven from east to west, so I still can’t get my head around it. It’s very emotional,” he shared, explaining that he was woken up at 04:00 and told to get his shit together by the prison guard.

When I asked what he wanted now, most did not hesitate: “I want to see my wife!”

I was told it was on its way.

Bialiatski’s own organization, Viasna, monitors political detentions in Belarus, and the activist reminded everyone that many people like him (only less well-known) remain behind bars.

“It is very important that everyone continues to work for the political prisoners still in Belarusian prisons, to strive for the full release of all of them.”

He then raised the red and white flag from his shoulders, sending a message to Belarusians everywhere.

“Optimism and activism,” Ales Bialiatski told them with a sudden smile. “Never give up!”