Rights Defenders Explain Confusion in Pardoned Prisoners List

Reform.news Editorial Team · 7 April 2026, 10:50

https://reform.news/en/rights-defenders-explain-confusion-in-pardoned-prisoners-list/

The Viasna Human Rights Centre clarified the confusion surrounding the list of pardoned prisoners that appeared online on March 19. The list mixed up the names of several political prisoners.

In particular, this explains the situation involving political prisoner and journalist Dzmitry Navazhylau, whose name appeared on the list but who was not released. However, Uladzislau Navazhantsau, also a political prisoner convicted in 2023, was released.

Similarly, the list included Aliaksandr Makhnach, but in fact it was Uladzimir Makhnach who was released.