Former RFE/RL Reporter, Opposition Candidate Among Prisoners Freed By Belarus

Belarus has released 14 prisoners in a deal reached with the cooperation of the Lithuanian government. Among them were Ihar Karnei, a former RFE/RL journalist who was arrested in 2023, and opposition politician Syarhey Tsikhakhouski, who was imprisoned while trying to run against Belarus's authoritarian leader. Both were held on charges widely considered to be politically motivated.