Belarusian prisoners celebrate release after US sanctions lifted

Rumors have been swirling for days about the release of a key prisoner in Belarus.

But no one revealed the names or exact numbers on the list until everyone had safely escaped and was finally free.

A total of 123 political prisoners were released, including some of the best-known Belarusian opposition politicians, human rights activists and journalists.

Maria Kolesnikova, a protest leader with her famous red lips and smile, was on the list of those to be released.

Videos soon began circulating on social media showing her jumping and hugging other former prisoners in joy at being reunited. Then another came by bus from Belarus, where she thanked everyone who helped bring about this moment.

“It is an incredibly happy feeling to see the people who are dear to me, to hug them and to realize that we are all free.” Marsha, best known as Marsha, told the camera. Her lips were already red again.

Her first sunset of freedom was truly beautiful, she said.

“But I think of those who are not yet free, and I wait for the moment when we can all embrace and everyone will be free.”

There’s also Viktor Babaryka, a banker who tried to run in the 2020 presidential election but was detained before the election even began.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski was also released after serving a 10-year sentence.

They were all imprisoned for opposing the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko, who suppressed mass protests in 2020 with brutal force. It was the greatest challenge to his rule he had ever faced.

The release of the current prisoners is the result of long and complex negotiations led by the United States, which concluded with a two-day visit to Minsk this week by Donald Trump’s new special envoy, John Cole.

For Lukashenko, that participation itself is a victory. After years of being a political outcast in the West, he is delighted to be talking to the United States again.

But he also lifted U.S. sanctions on potash, his country’s main export, in a more tangible reward. EU penalties and stricter policies are still in place.

It’s not entirely clear what Trump has to gain from this. But Belarus is a close ally of Russia, including in the war with Ukraine, and the move comes as the United States is renewing contact with Moscow to seek a peace deal.

The dozens of prisoners Lukashenko agreed to release were always expected to come here to Vilnius, Lithuania, where scores of friends, relatives and fellow activists gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in sub-zero cold to welcome them.

Some came wrapped in Belarus’ red and white opposition flag.

Masha Kolesnikova’s sister, Tatsiana Khomich, who campaigned for her release for more than five years, never stopped smiling. “I just spoke to Marsha.” She told me after the video call.

Kolesnikova, who was a professional flutist before the controversial 2020 election, spent most of her sentence in solitary confinement and refused to send letters or even phone calls to her family.

Her sister said: “She’s okay, she’s okay. I just want to hug her. I still can’t believe it.”

Suddenly there was a commotion in the crowd. A police car, with its blue lights flashing, was leading a small convoy of other vehicles toward the U.S. Embassy gates.

But there was no way all 123 former prisoners were inside. Instead, we learned that only seven foreigners were brought to Lithuania, and only Ales Bialiatski, a Belarusian.

Kolesnikova and others were taken from Belarus to Ukraine. From prison to war zone.

Staying in your home country is not a commonly available option.

“Lukashenko’s idea, who else?” This was how one of opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s team interpreted the surprise switch to Ukraine. It looks like he decided to play one last power game, and the long-awaited family reunion will almost be postponed.

But what was the price paid in that moment? Tikhanovskaya is a friend and political ally of Masha Kolesnikova, but always demands maximum pressure from the West on Lukashenko.

So I wondered if America had gone too far.

“This is a process of negotiations. Of course, it would be good for us if nothing is given to Lukashenko, because those people are all hostages of his regime. They are innocent.

“But this is how negotiations work,” she responded, before noting that sanctions could be reapplied at any time if necessary.

“President Trump now uses the carrot. He can also use the stick.”

A few steps away was a man waving a huge flag, worried that Lukashenko might take more prisoners. This is not a sign of sudden humanity, he said.

After spending a short time inside the U.S. Embassy, ​​Ales Bialiatski took to the streets to the ecstatic cheers of the crowd.

Gaunt, with a shaved head and wearing a padded blue jumpsuit, he admitted that after four years in prison he was dizzy from all the sensations.

“I still can’t get my head around it because I was blindfolded and driven from east to west across Belarus. It’s really emotional.” He said he woke up at 4 a.m. and was told by prison guards to pack his belongings.

When asked what he wants most right now, he didn’t hesitate: “I want to meet my wife!”

I heard she was on her way.

Bialiatski’s organization, Viasna, monitors political detentions in Belarus, and the activist reminded everyone that hundreds of people like him are behind bars.

“It is very important that everyone continues to work for the political prisoners still held in Belarusian prisons and strive for their full release.”

He then lifted the red and white flag from his shoulders and delivered a message to all Belarusians.

“Optimism and activism,” Ales Bialiatski suddenly said with a smile. “Never give up!”