Belarus Pardons 123, Sanctions Lifted

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's administration has released 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, in a significant diplomatic move on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This mass pardon follows intensive negotiations with the United States, as reported by the Associated Press.

The pardons were reportedly granted following a direct request from U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling a potential shift in the long-strained relations between Washington and Minsk. Eurasia Business News confirmed that this marks one of the largest prisoner releases in Belarus in recent years.

Among those freed is former Japanese language teacher Masatoshi Nakanishi, who had been serving a seven-year sentence on espionage charges. The Japan Times reported in March 2025 that Nakanishi was convicted of working for Japanese intelligence, a charge he and the Japanese government disputed.

The release of these political prisoners is directly linked to the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Belarus's crucial potash fertilizer industry. U.S. envoy John Coale announced the lifting of these sanctions after two days of talks in Minsk, according to cbc News.

Potash, a key component in fertilizers, is a vital export for Belarus, and sanctions have severely impacted its economy. Argus Media noted that the removal of U.S. sanctions will significantly ease trade for Belarusian potash globally, though EU sanctions remain in place.

This development represents a major step in Lukashenko's efforts to improve relations with the West, which have been largely isolated due to human rights concerns and Belarus's role in the conflict in Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent highlighted that this follows previous, smaller prisoner releases and sanction adjustments.

While welcomed by opposition figures, the releases also underscore the ongoing human rights challenges in Belarus. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as reported by the Associated Press, emphasized that hundreds of political prisoners still remain detained.

• Ales Bialiatski's Imprisonment and Nobel Recognition: Ales Bialiatski, a renowned human rights advocate and founder of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, was a co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. He was arrested in July 2021 and subsequently sentenced in March 2023 to 10 years in a penal colony on charges of financing actions violating public order and smuggling, which human rights activists widely condemned as politically motivated, according to Al Jazeera.

• Masatoshi Nakanishi's Case: Masatoshi Nakanishi, a Japanese citizen and former language teacher, was detained in July 2024 and sentenced in March 2025 to seven years in prison by a Minsk court. Belarusian state-controlled media accused him of taking photographs of military and civilian facilities for Japanese intelligence, a claim that Tokyo protested as infringing on Nakanishi's rights, as reported by AP News.

• Context of Belarusian Political Prisoners: Human rights groups, such as Viasna, have consistently documented a large number of political prisoners in Belarus under President Lukashenko's rule. The Associated Press noted in January 2025 that activists estimate around 1,300 political prisoners are held, many enduring harsh conditions. Lukashenko has historically denied holding political prisoners, referring to them as "bandits" or opponents of the state, according to cbc News.

• Impact of Potash Sanctions: The U.S. and EU imposed sanctions on Belarus's potash industry following the crackdown on protests after the 2020 elections and Belarus's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions, which included restrictions on trade and access to financial markets, significantly impacted Belarus's economy, as potash is its second-largest export commodity, credendo reported in 2021.

• U.S. Diplomacy and Sanctions History: U.S. sanctions against Belarus date back to 2006, primarily in response to concerns over democratic processes and human rights abuses, as detailed by the U.S. Department of State. While relations have often been strained, there have been instances of limited sanctions relief in exchange for prisoner releases, such as in 2015 and September 2025, when 52 prisoners were freed and sanctions on Belavia airline were eased, according to The Business Standard.

• Role of Donald Trump's Administration: The current prisoner release and sanctions lifting occurred after two days of talks between President Lukashenko and U.S. special envoy John Coale, acting under instructions from President Donald Trump. Trump has previously engaged with Lukashenko, describing him as "the highly respected president of Belarus" and urging the release of what he termed "hostages," CBC News stated.

• Implications for Belarus-West Relations: This diplomatic breakthrough suggests a potential, albeit cautious, rapprochement between Belarus and the United States. U.S. officials have indicated that engaging with Lukashenko is part of an effort to reduce his dependence on Russia, according to Reuters via CNA. However, the continued presence of other sanctions and the EU's stance on its own restrictive measures indicate that full normalization of relations remains a complex process.

• International Reactions and Future Outlook: While the release of prominent figures like Bialiatski and Kalesnikava has been welcomed by international human rights organizations and Western governments, concerns persist about the broader human rights situation in Belarus. The move highlights the leverage that sanctions can provide, but also raises questions about the long-term commitment to democratic reforms in the country, as noted by TVP World.