Belarus frees opposition figure Kolesnikova, Nobel laureate Bialiatski in US-brokered deal

France 24Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 1:49:45 PM
Belarus frees opposition figure Kolesnikova, Nobel laureate Bialiatski in US-brokered deal
  • Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, following a US-brokered deal that also involved a partial lifting of Western sanctions against the country. This significant move was confirmed by rights groups and state media on December 13, 2025.
  • The release of these prominent figures is seen as a crucial step towards improving human rights conditions in Belarus and may signal a shift in the relationship between Belarus and the West, particularly the United States, which has been critical of the Belarusian government.
  • This development highlights the ongoing struggle for democracy in Belarus, where activists continue to face repression under President Alexander Lukashenko's regime. The release of political prisoners may inspire further activism and dialogue about democratic reforms, although challenges remain amid a backdrop of state violence and repression.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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