News DeskIn a rare act of amnesty, Belarus has released five political prisoners, nearly four years after its leader, Alexander Lukashenko, began a bloody assault on his internal rivals. After declaring victory in the contentious 2020 presidential election, the 69-year-old, who has been the nation’s leader since 1994, began a campaign of widespread repression.

Thousands of people were arrested during the ensuing demonstrations. He announced his plan to free a few “seriously ill” inmates on Tuesday during a news conference with journalists in Minsk, the country’s capital. As per the prominent human rights organisation Viasna, Belarus continues to house around 1,400 political prisoners.In the process, three men and two women were released from custody on Wednesday, according to Viasna. Of those who were freed, only Rygor Kastusev’s identity is known. The 67-year-old was held in 2021 as part of a wave of arrests after running against Mr. Lukashenko in the 2010 election. According to Viasna, he had already received a cancer diagnosis. Galina, the daughter of Mr. Kastusev, confirmed his release, saying her father was “very happy to be free”.

“Everyone started crying and getting happy when they met each other. “Everything is fine, we saw that he was home,” she remarked. Irina Schastnaya, another political prisoner, was freed on June 29. The journalist for the opposition was detained in 2021 and given a four-year prison term.

She ran the My Country Belarus Telegram channel prior to her imprisonment, and on Wednesday, after she had left the nation, the channel declared her freedom.