Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has granted pardons to 18 individuals currently imprisoned. Fifteen of those released were serving time on extremism charges, which the government frequently uses against political dissidents.
Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has granted clemency to 18 individuals currently serving prison sentences, according to an announcement from his administration on Thursday.
Among those receiving pardons, 15 had been convicted on extremism-related charges. This particular criminal designation has become a common tool used by Lukashenko’s government to prosecute political opposition members and critics of his rule.
The clemency announcement was made through a Telegram channel associated with the presidential administration.