Lukashenko releases political prisoners
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
15.09.2011 08:56
Belarusian opposition activist Pavel Vinogradov cuts a cake with his wife after being released from a Minsk prison, Wednesday.
photo - EPA/Tatyana Zenkovich
Local media BelTA reported Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko released 11 prisoners from serving the rest of their sentences, yesterday, saying he “followed principles of humanity”.
The prisoners were arrested during post election violence after the 19 December election, that returned Lukashenko to a fourth term in office.
Poland, the EU and US have condemned the arrest and harassment of political prisoners following the disputed presidential elections, which are widely regarded as having been rigged. (pg)