In brief
Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, notably including opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, after the US lifted sanctions on potash, a key export. The US special envoy emphasized the normalization of relations, hinting at further sanctions reductions. Families and supporters have eagerly awaited the release, with many gathered outside the US embassy in Vilnius, where a group of the freed prisoners are expected to arrive shortly.
Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the Eastern European country.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski is also among those who have been freed following talks in Minsk with US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale.
The US has agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a key ingredient in fertilizer and an important export for the country whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Coale said: As relations between the two countries normalize, more and more sanctions will be lifted. The EU has not recognized Lukashenko as president.
Kolesnikova has been in prison since 2020, much of the time in isolation. Her sister, Tatiana, who campaigned tirelessly for her release was able to speak to her by video call soon after and confirmed the news to the BBC.
A group of those released are expected in Lithuania's capital Vilnius shortly. A crowd is gathering outside the US embassy.
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