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Every person released is a victory. However, the work must continue until all political prisoners are free, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, commenting on the release of 25 political prisoners, who were taken to Lithuania today as a result of an agreement between Aliaksandr Lukashenka and U.S. President’s Special Envoy John Coale.
“I am very happy for everyone who has finally found themselves free today. And also for their relatives and loved ones who had been waiting for this day.
We also see how difficult negotiations over the release of people are. Every release requires a great deal of effort, and it is clear that Lukashenka does not want to release all political prisoners.
Therefore, I am grateful to the U.S. side for the difficult negotiating work that is continuing. It is important that, despite all the difficulties, it is producing a concrete humanitarian result — people are being released. That is precisely why this work cannot be stopped. It is necessary for the United States and Europe to continue coordinating their efforts and supporting the process of releasing people.
Today, alongside our joy for those who have been released, we remember those who still remain behind bars. There are hundreds of them. Behind every number is a person, their family and loved ones who continue to wait.
Every person released is a victory. Therefore, today’s release is another humanitarian result, but far from the end of this process. The work must continue until all political prisoners are free.
We will meet those who have been released, help them return to life after imprisonment and continue reminding people about everyone who is still waiting for their day of freedom,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
In exchange for the release of 25 people, the United States will lift sanctions on Bellesbumprom and Lakokraska. Coale also promised yesterday to unblock more than $40 million stuck at Citibank, which Lukashenka had mentioned on Friday.