Alyaksandr Lukashenka has decided to “pardon” 123 citizens of various countries who had been convicted “of committing crimes of various kinds, including espionage, terrorist, and extremist activities,” his press service reported.
“Within the framework of agreements reached with U.S. President Donald Trump and at his request, in connection with the lifting of illegal sanctions against the potash industry of the Republic of Belarus imposed by the administration of the previous U.S. President Biden, and in connection with the transition to the practical phase of the process of lifting other illegal sanctions against the Republic of Belarus,” the press release said.
The decision to grant pardons was also taken “in response to requests from other heads of state and based on humanitarian principles and universal human and family values.”
“This step is aimed at accelerating positive dynamics in the development of relations between the Republic of Belarus and partner countries, as well as in the interests of stabilizing the situation in the European region as a whole,” the press service stated.
The total number of people “pardoned” by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in recent times stands at 156. Among them are citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Australia, and Japan.
Earlier, it was reported that several members of Viktar Babaryka’s team had been released. It is known that Maria Kalesnikava is now free.