Overview
- A state-linked Telegram video showed Alexander Lukashenko greeting John Coale as the U.S. special envoy tasked by President Donald Trump with securing political prisoner releases.
- Belarusian state media reported the talks in Minsk on Friday, and the presidential press service said discussions will continue Saturday.
- Coale’s September engagement preceded the release of 52 people, about 40 of them political prisoners, with one later returned to jail after refusing deportation.
- After earlier releases, Washington lifted sanctions on national airline Belavia, allowing maintenance and parts purchases as a calibrated incentive.
- Human rights group Viasna says it has identified 167 new political prisoners since those releases and estimates roughly 1,200 remain behind bars.