Lukashenko pardons another 123 convicted people, including Ukrainians
13 December 17:16
On December 13, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized by a number of countries, pardoned 123 political prisoners, including 5 Ukrainians.
This was reported by the press service of the Belarusian leader, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
They say that all these people are citizens of different countries and were convicted “for committing crimes of various kinds.” It is about “espionage, terrorist and extremist activities”.
It is noted that such a decision was made due to the agreement reached between Lukashenka and US Presidential Special Representative Donald Trump to lift Washington’s sanctions on the Belarusian potash industry.
The release of the political prisoners was also allegedly made “in connection with the requests of other heads of state” and “based on humanitarian principles and universal human and family values.”
According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, five of the more than a hundred people released today are Ukrainians.
The Head of State also noted that the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov had reported to him on the details of the preparation of a “special event” to release civilians who were in Belarus.
He added that he had instructed the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and all services represented in the Coordination Headquarters to maximize their work on the Russian direction so that the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war could take place before the New Year.
As it has become known, among those released are opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bilyatsky.
