Belarus Activists Seek Answers on Exclusion of Political Prisoners from Historic Swap

Belarus rights activists are questioning Germany about why Belarusian political prisoners, including prominent opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, were excluded from the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War. The exchange involved 24 prisoners, but none from Belarus despite activists' hopes and German involvement.

Belarus rights activists demanded answers from Germany on Friday regarding the omission of Belarusian political prisoners, including popular opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, from the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War on Thursday. Kalesnikava, who has been imprisoned since September 2020 for her role in an alliance that challenged President Alexander Lukashenko, was notably absent from the exchange.

Activists, including Kalesnikava's sister Tatsiana Khomich, expressed disappointment that German and U.S. efforts to negotiate the release of a Russian state hitman for human rights activists did not include Belarusian prisoners. "I was hoping until the very last moment that the list would include Maria or anyone from the Belarus prisoners," Khomich told Reuters.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the difficult decision to release hitman Vadim Krasikov, citing it was essential to secure the release of prisoners of conscience and a German on death row in Belarus. The deal saw 24 prisoners exchanged, with activists expressing frustration that Kalesnikava and others remain jailed in Belarus despite their efforts.