In Belarus, another 23 people who committed «crimes of an extremist nature» will be released, the corresponding decree was signed by Alexander Lukashenko, his press service reported.
Among those pardoned are three women and 20 men, 13 people — over fifty years old, 14 have chronic diseases, 12 have children, one of the pardoned — is a father of many children. It is noted that all of them wrote petitions for pardon and admitted their guilt.
The pardon announcement states that the «Ministry of Internal Affairs will ensure control over their law-abiding behavior». This is the first pardon in 2025. In 2024, there were eight group pardons, with about 250 people released.
According to the Belarusian human rights center «Viasna», there are currently 1244 political prisoners in Belarus.