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Belarusian Activist Ales Bialiatski Freed After Four Years

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ales Bialiatski, Belarusian human rights campaigner, was released on December 16, 2025, in a U.S.-brokered deal after more than four years in a penal colony.
He learned of his 2022 Nobel Peace Prize from fellow inmates.
He was arrested during a crackdown on protests after a disputed election.
He criticized Alexander Lukashenko, saying he has a poor understanding of human rights.
He reunited with his wife after three years apart.

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Story summary

Ales Bialiatski, Belarusian human rights campaigner, was released on December 16, 2025, in a U.S.-brokered deal after more than four years in a penal colony.
He learned of his 2022 Nobel Peace Prize from fellow inmates.
He was arrested during a crackdown on protests after a disputed election.
He criticized Alexander Lukashenko, saying he has a poor understanding of human rights.
He reunited with his wife after three years apart.