Belarus freed 250 political prisoners in its largest release yet — a move celebrated as a humanitarian breakthrough and tied to the easing of US sanctions. However, many remain behind bars.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners on Thursday in exchange for easing sanctions from Washington, according to the US embassy in nearby Lithuania.
It is reportedly the largest one-time release of its kind so far, as Belarus is ramping up efforts to normalize ties with the United States.
Led by Lukashenko since 1994, the former Soviet state has faced widespread sanctions for its crackdown on human rights and permitting Moscow to use its territory to invade Ukraine in 2022.
Thursday’s move follows a meeting between Belarus’ leader and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, John Coale, in Minsk.
Coale celebrated the decision as a “significant humanitarian milestone” and told reporters that the United States would lift sanctions on two Belarusian state banks and the country’s finance ministry, as well as top Belarusian potash producers.
Journalists, activists, and protesters are amongst those freed. One of them is Marfa Rabkova, the coordinator of a Belarusian human rights group’s volunteer network. She was arrested more than 5 years ago and had been serving a nearly 15-year sentence for charges of “extremism,” which she has denied.
A US embassy spokesperson said that 15 of those released would be taken to Lithuania, while the rest would stay in Belarus.
‘Many still behind bars,’ says opposition leader
However, concern persists for the political prisoners who remain in captivity. Prior to Thursday’s decision, Belarusian human rights organization Viasna said that over 1,100 political prisoners were held in the country.
Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya reacted positively to the latest release as “a moment of great relief and hope” and thanked the Trump administration.
“But we must be clear: many people are still behind bars,” she added in a statement. “Our goal remains unchanged — to free them all and to put a final end to repression.”
Women hug as freed Belarusian political prisoners arrive in Lithuania, Vilnius (March 19, 2026)Women hug as freed Belarusian political prisoners arrive in Lithuania, Vilnius (March 19, 2026)
The result of Trump-Lukashenko diplomacy
The announcement is seen as part of Minsk’s efforts to improve its relations with the West following years of isolation.
Previous meetings between Coale and Lukashenko led to the release of dozens of political prisoners in September last year and 123 more in December 2025.
Coale said that he expected all remaining political prisoners to be released before the end of this year, according to the Reuters news agency.
In response to Thursday’s announcement, the US special envoy added that Lukashenko may soon be visiting the United States.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko
DW News
