Twenty more Belarusian political prisoners released last weekend arrived in Lithuania on Thursday, a representative of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya confirmed.
Belarus released 123 political prisoners last Saturday following negotiations with the United States, including two Lithuanian citizens who had been held unlawfully. Nine of the freed prisoners entered Lithuania, while the remainder travelled via Ukraine.
Among those released are dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition leader Maryia Kalesnikava, former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, opposition activist Maksim Znak, and writer and civic activist Pavel Seviarynets.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda met with Bialiatski on Monday, pledging support for the democratic Belarusian opposition.
Reports said the US lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash exports in exchange for the prisoners’ release. Lithuanian officials stressed that the move does not affect European Union sanctions and that Washington did not directly pressure for broader sanctions relief.
Earlier this year, in June and September, more than 60 prisoners were released from Belarusian jails following agreements with the United States, including six Lithuanian citizens.
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