Cichanoŭskaja: prisoner swap between US, Russia sets precedent for release of Belarusians

August 3, Pozirk. Belarusian pro-democracy forces were unaware of negotiations between the United States and Russia and had no influence on their outcome, opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said.
“A couple of days ago, when the hostage exchange between Russia and the US was happening, many of us were hoping to see Maryja Kaleśnikava, Andrzej Poczobut or Ihar Łosik on the lists,” she told the New Belarus Conference 2024 in Vilnius.
“Despite all efforts, the miracle did not happen . . . To forestall any questions, I assert that we did not know and did not participate in the process of these negotiations to influence their results,” she said.
She added that the exchange set “an important precedent that will help us to free Belarusians in the future.”
Cichanoŭskaja expressed gratitude to activists who help political prisoners and fight for their release.

BNR Rada on prisoner swap: US, European leaders ignored Belarusians' suffering
- Politics, SecurityKGB identifies arrested Pole as Grzegorz HavelThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoordination Council suspends member’s access to documents over suspicious activityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with MPs, activists and minister in AustriaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian applicants required to produce B2 certificates to enroll in Polish universitiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- EconomyLithuania seizes 20,000 packs of smuggled Belarusian cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ steel works ordered to pay overdue debt to Russian supplierThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyDefense ministry: soldier dies in parachute jump accidentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyAt least 1,950 NGOs dissolved since August 2020 – LawtrendThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRussian official uncertain over Winter Paralympics for Belarus’, Russia’s athletesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuania reports daily spike in irregular crossings via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ car sales down 2.7 percent in AugustThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsLaw enforcers allowed to restrict access to online contentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk renews its invitation for Kenyan president to visit BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus accredits Finland’s military attachéThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyInformation ministry enlists Orthodox Church in censorshipThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSlovak prime minister said to be willing to visit MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics