In the afternoon, Lukashenko pardoned 123 “citizens of various countries” as part of the “agreements reached” with US President Donald Trump and “at his request.” 104 citizens of Belarus arrived in Ukraine, convicted in politically motivated cases after the 2020 presidential elections and the subsequent protests, the project “I Want to Live” reported.
Among those released who came to Ukraine is one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition, Maria Kolesnikova, and Lukashenko’s former rival in the 2020 elections, Viktor Babariko.
“The American side took nine foreign citizens with them today. And more than 100 people were sent to Ukraine – in exchange for Belarusians who were captured there – their relatives really asked the president for them – and for wounded Russians,” Eismont said.
However, the Ukrainian project “I Want to Live,” which is involved in the exchange of prisoners, denied her words.
“This is not true,” the project said in a commentary to “Euraradye”.
Earlier, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said that the political prisoners released in Belarus on December 13 were expected in Lithuania, but Lukashenko “replayed everything at the last moment” and they were sent to Ukraine.
Context
The fact that the United States is negotiating with Belarus on the most massive release of political prisoners, Reuters wrote on November 26.
Lukashenko decided to “pardon” 123 people amid negotiations in Minsk with US special envoy to Belarus John Cole 12th And December 13. Most of their meetings took place behind closed doors.
