On Saturday, Belarus freed 123 inmates, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aleś Bialacki, who was held at the Lithuania border and declined to appeal to President Lukashenko.
Bialacki Rejects Appeal to Lukashenko
After his release, Bialacki stated he did not surrender to pressure from authorities to sign an amnesty request directed at President Alexander Lukashenko. He maintained that he would not support such a petition, even though he was urged to do so.
Bialacki Already in Vilnius after Release
Following evacuation by Belarusian authorities on Saturday, Bialacki was transported to the Lithuanian border, where he finally recovered his passport. He had been detained with more than ten others at the border crossing; a few were politically sentenced, the rest were foreigners charged under different statutes.
Nobel Committee Expresses Deep Relief
The Nobel Committee welcomed the release, noting that over 20 political prisoners had been freed from the Horki prison. It called on Belarus to release all remaining political detainees and to safeguard human‑rights defenders from future trials.
European Parliament Calls for Full Release of Political Prisoners
EU Parliament President Robert Metsola urged continued pressure on Belarus to free all political prisoners, including journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who will receive the Sacherov Prize in Strasbourg. Metsola commended the liberation of 123 political inmates, including Nobel laureates, and pledged continued support for those still imprisoned.