Belarusian president pardons 23 political prisoners before election, facing skepticism.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 23 political prisoners ahead of next week's presidential election, according to state media. Critics view the pardons as a political maneuver to improve his image. Among the pardoned are three women and 20 men, with many over 50, suffering from chronic diseases, or having children. Despite these releases, more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in detention, and over 200 have been pardoned in the six months leading up to the election. The identities of the released prisoners are undisclosed, raising skepticism among opponents about the move's intentions.

2 months ago
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