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In Belarus, 37 political prisoners have been pardoned by President Alexander Lukashenko ahead of Belarusian Unity Day, as reported by the state-owned news agency BELTA. Despite these releases, the total number of political prisoners remains around 1,300-1,400. Human rights NGOs, including Viasna, have designated an additional 22 people as political prisoners. The ongoing repression in the country continues, with many still being arrested, tortured, and held incommunicado. U.S.–Belarus citizen Yury Ziankovich, sentenced to 11 years for conspiracy to seize power, has been shown on TV for the first time since his trial two years ago, amid reports of pressure from the prison administration. Marfa Rabkova remains imprisoned on false charges, marking four years since her arrest. Many of those pardoned had spent years behind bars.
