# Belarus Releases 25 Amid U.S. Sanctions Swap | Irvine News

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856/belarus-releases-25-amid-u-s-sanctions-swap-irvine-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856/belarus-releases-25-amid-u-s-sanctions-swap-irvine-news.md
Podcast: [Irvine News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/irvine-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7571856)
Published: 2026-09-16T22:02:51+00:00
Episode link: https://sources.thednn.ai/aa8ae789a6975e4a
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/2cd2d156-506b-42f6-afdf-b46ac6f52639.mp3
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Duration seconds: 125

## Resource

Twenty-five Belarusian political prisoners are walking free after a U.S. diplomatic breakthrough with President Lukashenko, part of an interim deal that lifts sanctions on two Belarusian firms in exchange for their release. U.S. envoy John Coale credits Trump’s direct diplomacy, hinting at more releases to come. While past U.S.-mediated deals have freed hundreds, critics argue Lukashenko is still using prisoners as bargaining chips — nearly 900 remain jailed. The freed include journalists and media figures, some of whom had passports seized, raising concerns about forced deportation. This move, while a diplomatic win, doesn’t resolve deeper human rights abuses or the authoritarian grip that’s lasted decades. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sources: https://www.ocregister.com/2026/09/16/belarus-prisoner-release/ More coverage & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/aa8ae789a6975e4a Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. Presented by The Plant Daddies — rare specimen trees, living art, and hand-carved limestone vessels and fountains for extraordinary spaces. Showrooms in Los Angeles and Irvine. Listeners of Irvine News Today receive 10% off with code LANEWS10. theplantdaddies.com/lanews

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