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Belarus releases 25 prisoners in interim deal with United States
Belarus has released 25 prisoners as part of an interim deal with the United States, according to U.S. special envoy John Coale. The agreement follows negotiations between Coale and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In exchange for the release, the United States will lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies: Lakokraska, a paint manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned forestry and woodworking concern.
Among those released are journalist Andrei Alyaksandrau and several musicians. The released individuals were transported to Lithuania. While the deal is described as a “show of goodwill,” human rights group Viasna reports that more than 900 political prisoners remain in custody in Belarus.
Lukashenko has also sought the unfreezing of approximately $44 million in Belarusian assets currently held at Citibank. Coale indicated that this is an interim arrangement and that both sides are working toward further prisoner releases and additional sanctions relief in the near future.
Entities
Alexander Lukashenko · Belarus · Citibank · Donald Trump · John Coale · Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya · United Nations · United States · Viasna
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 13 SOURCES] The United States will lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies in exchange for the prisoner releases. www.bursahaber.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.vijesti.me · www.news18.com · thevaultznews.com · +8 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Journalist Andrei Alyaksandrau was among those released. ca.news.yahoo.com · adevarul.ro
- [● 7 SOURCES] More than 900 political prisoners remain in Belarus. www.bursahaber.com · srnnews.com · www.vijesti.me · www.tagesschau.de · www.lrytas.lt · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Lukashenko requested the unfreezing of approximately $44 million in Belarusian assets held at Citibank. zambianobserver.com · www.newsday.com · wtop.com · www.kyivpost.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners as part of an interim deal. www.bursahaber.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.news18.com · thevaultznews.com · adevarul.ro · +7 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] John Coale announced that 25 prisoners have been released in Belarus. thevaultznews.com · www.bursahaber.com · adevarul.ro · ca.news.yahoo.com · news.az · +9 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The sanctions being lifted apply to the companies Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom. thevaultznews.com · adevarul.ro · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.faz.net · www.kyivpost.com · +4 more