Belarus Releases 25 in U.S. Deal | Johannesburg News

Belarus just freed 25 political prisoners in a major U.S. deal — including a jailed journalist and his wife, plus the head of a shuttered news outlet — in exchange for lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies. This isn’t the first time the two sides have struck such deals, but officials say this is only an interim step as negotiations continue. While freed detainees have safely reached Lithuania, hundreds more remain behind bars under charges like “extremism” or “inciting hatred.” Lukashenko denies they’re political prisoners. The U.S. also continues pushing to return frozen assets, even as human rights groups demand full release of all remaining detainees. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/world/2026-09-16-trumps-envoy-wins-release-of-25-belarus-prisoners-as-us-drops-more-sanctions/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/420166f1cb6f21b7 Report issues to [email protected].