Belarus Releases 123 Political Prisoners In Deal With US

Dozens of Belarusians imprisoned for their political activity were freed on December 13 as US officials announced plans to ease economic sanctions on Minsk. They were welcomed by officials and rights advocates in Lithuania and Ukraine. The freed prisoners included Ales Byalyatski, a human rights defender and Nobel laureate, and Maryya Kalesnikava, a prominent opposition leader.