Authoritarian Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has pardoned 30 people, including seven women, serving prison terms "for crimes of protest," his press service said on September 4. The statement stressed that those pardoned had "repented and asked" Lukashenka for clemency. Last month, Lukashenka pardoned 30 other people sentenced for taking part in mass protests in 2020 against the official result of a presidential poll that named the long-serving Lukashenka the winner. In July, 18 political prisoners were released after Lukashenka signed a law on a mass amnesty to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi Germany. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Lukashenka Pardons 30 Sentenced For 'Crimes Of Protest' In Belarus
Alyaksandr Lukashenka granted pardons to 30 people serving time for protesting. (file photo)