An American was among three people released from prison by the government of Belarus, the Trump administration announced Wednesday.
Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostages, told reporters outside the White House the American wished to remain anonymous.
The other two detainees were named as Andrei Kuznechyk and Alena Maushuk. US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald said all three had been transferred to the Baltic country after gaining their freedom.
Wednesday’s announcement follows the release Tuesday of Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel by Russia following nearly four years in prison on charges of drug smuggling.
Belarus has been ruled since 1994 by President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin who has been dubbed “Europe’s Last Dictator” for his repressive governance.
Kuznechyk, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Belarus Service, was detained in November 2021 was detained by four men while on a bike ride near his home in the capital city of Minsk. The following year, he was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of “creating or participating in an extremist organization.”
In June 2024, RFE/RL reported that Maushuk had been arrested after participating in demonstrations against Lukashenko following his victory in the August 2020 Belarusian presidential election, which was widely believed to be fraudulent.
Maushuk, who reportedly lost custody of her two young children following her arrest, was sentenced to six years imprisonment in April 2021.
