Lukashenko Grants Mass Pardons: 16 Individuals Released, Including Some for Political Reasons
On the eve of the Belarusian Independence Day celebrations, President Alexander Lukashenko made a surprising move by granting clemency to 16 convicted citizens. This decision drew widespread attention both domestically and internationally, especially considering that among those released were individuals sentenced for activities deemed to have extremist implications. The official Belarusian press center reported that all those pardoned expressed sincere remorse and committed to abide by the law moving forward. The released individuals include eight women and an equal number of men; some are elderly, suffering from chronic illnesses, or have disabilities. Additionally, nine of them are parents of minors, whose lives could be significantly affected by this event. Authorities emphasized that each person acknowledged their guilt and believed in the importance of transformation and correction for past mistakes. At the same time, this act was seen as part of a broader political strategy aimed at softening internal tensions and improving Belarus’s diplomatic relations with Western countries. Notably, this pardon coincided with a high-profile meeting held on June 21 in Minsk between Lukashenko and U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg. Following the talks, several political prisoners, including opposition leader Sergey Tikhonovsky, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2021, were released. Others, such as blogger Igor Losik and at least a dozen more detainees, gained freedom as well. Regarding the negotiations, Lukashenko stated that Kellogg had promised to work towards reducing the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, but the U.S. Special Envoy refuted these claims, clarifying that the United States does not comment on Ukraine’s external policies. Overall, this development highlights the complex relations between Belarus and Western powers, and underscores the diplomatic efforts aimed at regional stability and peace.