Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in US-Brokered Deal

Lukashenko’s office said it welcomed the lifting of what it called ‘illegal’ Biden-era sanctions.

An aerial view of protesters during a demonstration in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 16, 2020. Getty Images/Getty Images

Belarus has freed 123 political prisoners in an unprecedented deal brokered by the United States.

The releases were carried out under “agreements reached with U.S. President Donald Trump and at his request,” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s office said in a statement posted on its official Telegram channel on Dec. 13.