Belarus has freed two Roman Catholic priests serving long prison sentences after renewed diplomatic talks with the Vatican, Reuters reported, citing the state news agency Belta.
Henrykh Akalatovich was serving an 11-year sentence for treason after being accused of spying for Poland and the Vatican, which he strongly denied, describing the accusations as «lies, threats and blackmail.» The human rights group Viasna said he was detained in 2023, soon after cancer surgery.
Andrzej Yukhnevich was sentenced earlier this year to 13 years for allegedly abusing minors, but he also denied the charges. Viasna said he had been detained several times before, including once for posting a Ukrainian flag on social media.
Belta reported that President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned both men as an act of mercy and because of closer contacts between Minsk and the Holy See.
This decision comes as Lukashenko tries to improve ties with Western governments after years of sanctions over his human rights record and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Since mid-2024, several hundred prisoners have been released. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump named a special envoy to negotiate more releases.
Viasna reported that 1,255 political prisoners are still in custody, including 29 priests and other religious leaders.
The Roman Catholic Church in Belarus said the pardons came after last month’s visit by Vatican envoy Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, who went to Minsk on behalf of Pope Leo. The Church said the visit helped move talks forward and influenced Lukashenko’s decision to free the two priests.
