Story perspectives

Belarus Releases 123 Prisoners in Controversial Sanction Deal

12/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Belarus released 123 prisoners, including opposition figures, in exchange for the United States lifting trade sanctions.
Many released prisoners report passport confiscation, leaving them without identity documents and exile.
Human rights advocate Uladzimir Labkovich called the move a "dirty trick" by the Belarusian government.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opposition leader, condemned the deportations as inhumane, and activists warned that the regime uses releases to manipulate perception.

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Story summary

Belarus released 123 prisoners, including opposition figures, in exchange for the United States lifting trade sanctions.
Many released prisoners report passport confiscation, leaving them without identity documents and exile.
Human rights advocate Uladzimir Labkovich called the move a "dirty trick" by the Belarusian government.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opposition leader, condemned the deportations as inhumane, and activists warned that the regime uses releases to manipulate perception.