Belarus frees 25 prisoners in exchange for the US lifting some sanctions, envoy says, tell me about this news in (https://www.wral.com/news/ap/5de69-belarus-frees-25-prisoners-in-exchange-for-the-us-lifting-some-sanctions-envoy-says/)

Here is a summary of the news report regarding the agreement between the United States and Belarus:The Core Agreement Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies. The interim deal was announced by John Coale, the U.S. special envoy for Belarus representing President Donald Trump, following high-level discussions in Minsk with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Straits Times+ 1Key Sanctions Relief Under the terms of the deal, Washington agreed to remove U.S. sanctions targeting two state-linked Belarusian entities: Global Banking & Finance Review

• Lakokraska: A major manufacturer of paints and industrial coatings (under U.S. sanctions since 2008). The Straits Times
• Bellesbumprom: A state-owned forestry, pulp, and paper conglomerate (sanctioned since 2023). The Straits Times
• Additional discussions involved efforts toward unfreezing tens of millions of dollars in Belarusian assets held in U.S. financial institutions. The Straits Times

The Prisoners Released The 25 individuals were safely transported across the border into neighboring Lithuania. According to human rights organization Viasna, notable detainees among the group include: The Straits Times+ 1

• Andrei Alyaksandrau: A prominent journalist serving a 14-year sentence. The Straits Times
• Iryna Zlobina: Alyaksandrau’s wife, who was serving a 9-year sentence. The Straits Times
• Liudmila Chekina: Former CEO of the independent news organization TUT.BY, which was dismantled by authorities in 2021; she had been serving a 12-year sentence. The Straits Times

Context and Reactions

• Scale of Releases: The release of 25 prisoners represents a smaller step compared to earlier negotiations, such as a visit earlier in the year that secured the release of 250 detainees. Coale noted that talks remain ongoing to resolve further issues and secure additional releases. Global Banking & Finance Review+ 1
• Lukashenko’s Position: During the meetings, President Lukashenko denied holding political prisoners and dismissed accusations that the government merely arrests new dissidents to replace those pardoned. Global Banking & Finance Review
• Opposition Perspective: Exiled Belarusian opposition figures and human rights groups welcomed the freedom of the individuals, but highlighted that hundreds of political prisoners remain detained in the country. The Straits Times