Belarus pardons 13 political prisoners, AFP reports

Belarus has pardoned 15 convicted prisoners, including 13 people convicted of what the presidency called extremist crimes, AFP reported, describing the 13 as political prisoners.

The Belarusian presidency said Thursday that President Alexander Lukashenko had signed the decree and that 10 of those pardoned were women. It did not name them.

Belarus has released hundreds of political prisoners since last year as the Russia-allied country seeks US sanctions relief. Last week, it freed 25 more people after the United States agreed to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington was “working on a massive deal” involving the purchase of potash from Belarus, adding that it would cost less than buying from Canada.

Belarusian human rights group Viasna says more than 800 political prisoners remain in Belarusian jails, many arrested during mass opposition protests against Lukashenko's disputed 2020 re-election. Lukashenko denies that Belarus has political prisoners.