Belarus frees Nobel prize laureate Bialiatski, opposition figure Kolesnikova as US lifts sanctions

Protesters in Vilnius hold posters in support of Belarusian human rights defender and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski during a solidarity demonstration on Bialiatski's 62nd birthday September 25th, 2024. Yauhen Yerchak/SOPA Images/LightRocke/Getty Images Vilnius, Lithuania AP —

Belarusian authorities on Saturday freed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova from prison, a human rights advocate confirmed to The Associated Press.

Their release comes as authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with Washington. In exchange for sanctions relief, Lukashenko pardoned 123 prisoners, the Belta state news agency reported. The US earlier on Saturday announced lifting sanctions on the country’s potash sector