Lukashenko pardons 52 inmates of various nationalities

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 52 inmates of different nationalities, all of whom are currently being transferred to Lithuania, Report informs, citing Russian media.

A representative of the US Embassy in Vilnius confirmed the development, noting that it follows calls from former US President Donald Trump for Lukashenko to release prisoners.

"A US delegation led by Deputy Assistant to President Trump, John Cole, is heading to Vilnius after holding talks in Minsk. A total of 52 inmates of various nationalities have been released," said the embassy official.

In June, Lukashenko met in Minsk with Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg and John Cole, who handled Belarus-related affairs within the Trump administration. Shortly after that meeting, Belarusian authorities released 14 prisoners at Trump's request.

Among those released was Belarusian opposition figure Sergei Tikhanovsky, who had planned to run in the 2020 presidential election before his arrest. His wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, later ran in his place.