Belarus frees 52 political prisoners, including foreigners, after visit by US delegation

"Belarus has released 52 prisoners of various nationalities, after a visit by a US delegation to Minsk, in Alexander Lukashenko's latest attempt to balance ties between Russia and the west. Thursday's prisoner release was one of the biggest of Lukashenko's authoritarian rule, part of his effort to mend relations with Washington and secure sanctions relief after years of isolation. Those freed included 14 foreign nationals"

"A Belarusian opposition Telegram channel said the released British national was 52-year-old Julia Fenner, who was detained in March 2024 while entering Belarus and later sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in the 2020 anti-government protests. Independent Belarusian media reported that Fenner holds Belarusian and British citizenship and previously worked at the British embassy in Minsk. The Guardian could not independently confirm her release."

"In return for Lukashenko's prisoner release, the US will ease sanctions on Belarus's national airline, Belavia, allowing it to service and buy parts for its Boeing aircraft fleet, a spokesperson for the US embassy in Vilnius said. Belarus state agencies also cited John Coale, a lawyer who headed the American delegation, as saying that Donald Trump had told Lukashenko that Washington wants to reopen its embassy in Minsk."

Belarus released 52 prisoners, including 14 foreign nationals and Belarusian political detainees, after a visit by a US delegation to Minsk. The foreigners included one Briton, one French national, six Lithuanians, two Latvians, two Poles and two Germans. The British national was identified as 52-year-old Julia Fenner, detained in March 2024 and later sentenced to seven years for participating in the 2020 anti-government protests; independent media reported she holds Belarusian and British citizenship and previously worked at the British embassy. In exchange, the US agreed to ease sanctions on Belavia to allow servicing and parts purchases for its Boeing fleet. US officials also signaled interest in reopening the US embassy in Minsk and said the White House would continue to seek release of remaining political prisoners.

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