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
- EconomyEDB links Belarus’ reserves rise to foreign currency supply growthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-EU crossings soaring since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsChina's parliamentary delegation to visit Belarus this weekThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyThree die in car crashes involving unlicenced driversThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyThunderstorm aftermath: 176 toppled trees, properties damagedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyJob openings exceed 210,000 in early JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyŁukašenka unveils Minsk stadium, thanks ChinaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsBelarusian envoy discusses labor migration with Vietnam’s officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsWarsaw extends border area entry ban by 90 daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsOpposition politicians meet diplomats from Australia, BelgiumThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Minsk keeps cracking down on freedom of expressionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ sanctioned airline adds A330-200 to its fleetThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SportScottish Greens leader wants Belarus banned from World Cup qualifiersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja to take part in EU-Belarus group meeting in BrusselsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights defenders label 14 as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ vehicle sales fall in May after a change in auto loan termsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFourty-five people have been added to "extremist list"The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka bans banks from transferring cash to foreign gambling entitiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+