Key facts
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 32 prisoners.
- Twenty-eight of the pardoned individuals were convicted of "extremism."
- Human rights group Viasna states over 1,200 political prisoners remain jailed.
- This is the sixth wave of pardons for political prisoners this year.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 32 prisoners, with 28 of them having been convicted of "extremism," a charge frequently used against opponents of his government. The presidency stated that 17 of the pardoned individuals suffer from chronic diseases and nine are over the age of 50. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will oversee their future conduct.
This action represents the sixth wave of pardons for political prisoners this year, bringing the total number of released individuals to 178. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the releases but emphasized that repression continues, with the number of political prisoners still growing. According to the Viasna human rights group, at least 1,275 political prisoners remain incarcerated since the mass demonstrations in 2020. Viasna also noted an intensification of repression leading up to the January 2025 presidential election, with numerous administrative cases related to "spreading extremist material" being heard in courts.
Lukashenko has governed Belarus since 1994 and has strengthened ties with Moscow, allowing Belarus to be used as a staging ground for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Political prisoners in Belarus often face harsh conditions, limited access to legal counsel, and restricted contact with their families. Recently released former political prisoners report facing significant challenges in reintegrating into society, remaining under close surveillance and struggling to find employment.