TransparencyAbuse of power & retaliationCourts & justice
Belarus frees 25 political prisoners for US sanctions relief while Viasna counts more than 900 still held
Confidence: Corroborated · 2 sourcesBelarus · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus
Also named
Affected
Andrei Alyaksandrau, Belarusian journalist (political prisoner, released 2026)
Advocate
Viasna Human Rights Centre
What happened
On September 16, 2026 Belarus released 25 political prisoners, including journalist Andrei Alyaksandrau, who had served part of a 14-year term; they were deported to Lithuania, and the US lifted sanctions on two state-linked companies in exchange. This followed a March 2026 release of 250. The rights group Viasna says more than 900 political prisoners remain, while the EU spokesperson put the figure at over 800; President Alexander Lukashenko denies they are political prisoners, and common charges include extremism and insulting the president.
By the numbers (2)
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
Figures
○
25 political prisoners were freed and immediately deported to Lithuania.
1 source
- Al Jazeera
25 freed and immediately deported to Lithuania
○
Viasna counts over 900 political prisoners remaining in Belarus.
1 source
- themoscowtimes.com
Over 900 political prisoners remain, according to Viasna
Sources (2)
Al Jazeera25 freed and immediately deported to Lithuania; 800+ remain arbitrarily detained
themoscowtimes.comOver 900 political prisoners remain, according to Viasna
Response
Alexander Lukashenko
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.