Lukashenko pardons 15 prisoners as Belarus, US discuss sanctions relief
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 15 prisoners, including 13 convicted of what Belarusian authorities described as “extremist” offenses, amid ongoing contacts with the United States over prisoner releases and sanctions relief.
Ten of those pardoned are women, according to Lukashenko’s press service.
Belarusian authorities said all 15 had requested pardons, admitted guilt, expressed remorse and pledged to obey the law.
The announcement came a day after a Belarusian state-linked Telegram channel reported that Minsk planned to release 25 political prisoners while the United States prepared to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom.
It was not immediately clear whether the 15 people pardoned on Sept. 24 were part of that planned group of 25.
Belarus has released prisoners in connection with US sanctions relief several times over the past year.
In September 2025, Lukashenko pardoned 52 prisoners as the United States announced it was lifting sanctions on Belarusian state airline Belavia. In March 2026, Belarus released 250 political prisoners following US sanctions relief targeting several Belarusian banks, financial institutions and potash companies.