
Belarus opposition leader, 13 others freed from jail
Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say.
Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X.
A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said.
A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added.
"We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners.
Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said.
A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile.
He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded.
"My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.
The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports.
US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus.
In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country.
Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic.
She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election.
with DPA and AP
Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say.
Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X.
A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said.
A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added.
"We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners.
Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said.
A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile.
He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded.
"My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.
The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports.
US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus.
In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country.
Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic.
She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election.
with DPA and AP
Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say.
Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X.
A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said.
A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added.
"We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners.
Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said.
A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile.
He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded.
"My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.
The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports.
US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus.
In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country.
Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic.
She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election.
with DPA and AP
Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say.
Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X.
A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said.
A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added.
"We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners.
Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said.
A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile.
He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded.
"My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters.
The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports.
US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus.
In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country.
Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic.
She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election.
with DPA and AP

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Courier-Mail
34 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
Pakistan to recommend Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Pakistan says it will formally recommend Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his work to resolve its recent conflict with India — as the US President complains he's not being credited for his peacekeeping efforts in other global conflicts. News of Mr Trump's nomination for the esteemed prize comes as the world awaits his decision on whether or not the US will become involved in the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran. It also follows Mr Trump complaining he would not be recognised for his role in broking a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The warring African nations said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they had initialled an agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC, which will be formally signed in Washington next week. 'This is a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World!' Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post, confirming the breakthrough. But his triumphant tone darkened as he complained that he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo. Pakistan says it is formally recommending US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Picture: AP/Alex Brandon He also demanded credit for 'keeping peace' between Egypt and Ethiopia and broking the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aiming to normalise relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Mr Trump campaigned for office as a 'peacemaker' who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although both conflicts are still raging five months into his presidency. Indian officials have denied that he had any role in its ceasefire with Pakistan. The government of Pakistan, meanwhile, said it would formally recommend Mr Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize 'in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership' during the recent conflict. However, Trump's claims for the Abraham Accords being able to 'unify the Middle East' have yet to be realised, with war breaking out between Israel and Iran, and no end in sight to the conflict in Gaza. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and current head of the Pakistan People's Party, in Washington during diplomatic talks with India. Picture: Oliver Contreras/AFP And critics say the Republican greatly exaggerated the significance of the 2020 Serbia-Kosovo agreements, which were statements of intent that were thin on details and quickly unravelled. The president said officials from DR Congo and Rwanda would be in Washington on Monday for the signing, although their joint statement said they would put pen to paper on June 27. The resource-rich eastern DRC, which borders Rwanda, has been plagued by violence for three decades, with a resurgence since the anti-government M23 armed group went on a renewed offensive at the end of 2021. The deal — which builds on a declaration of principles signed in April — was reached during three days of talks between the neighbours in Washington, according to their statement. Mr Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal politicians over the years. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts a signing ceremony in which Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, left, and Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, right, pledge to work toward a peace deal. Picture: AP/Jacquelyn Martin He has made no secret of his irritation at missing out on the prestigious award, bringing it up as recently as February during an Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US President Barack Obama won the prize soon after taking office in 2009, and Mr Trump complained during his 2024 election campaign that his Democratic predecessor was not worthy of the honour. One of the world's top honours, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to a recipient who has 'done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'. Recipients include Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Malala Yousafzai, the humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders, and the World Food Programme. Originally published as Pakistan to recommend Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

9 News
2 hours ago
- 9 News
Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Pakistan
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Pakistan has formally recommended US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his "decisive diplomatic intervention" following a spike in violence between India and Pakistan earlier this year. The government praised Trump for leveraging his "pivotal leadership" in May, when several days of cross-border strikes marked the worst regional fighting between the two nuclear-armed nations since 1971, killing dozens and stoking fears of a wider war. Islamabad and New Delhi agreed to a US-brokered truce on May 8, as one final burst of strikes ripped through parts of the long-disputed Kashmir region – to which both countries claim full sovereignty. President Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office and views the Rose Garden construction before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, June 20. (via CNN Newsource) "At a moment of heightened regional turbulence, President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi," Pakistan's government said in a statement on Saturday. The US president helped in "averting a broader conflict between the two nuclear states that would have had catastrophic consequences for millions of people in the region and beyond," the statement added. "This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue." Indian and Pakistani officials gave contradictory accounts of how the agreement on a truce was reached at the time. While Islamabad lauded the involvement of the White House, New Delhi downplayed it – keen to relay the ceasefire as a victory and saying the neighbors "directly" collaborated on the truce. Indian and Pakistani officials gave contradictory accounts of how the agreement on a truce was reached at the time. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) Governments, other institutions and certain individuals can nominate any living person or active organisation for the Nobel Peace Prize. The winner is decided each year by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Trump has long sought to present himself as a global peacemaker. Before his second term in office, the Republican leader ferociously criticised his predecessor President Joe Biden's failed attempts to negotiate an end to Israel's brutal campaign in Gaza following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine the year prior. More than 400 people have been killed in Iran, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported on Saturday, citing Iran's health ministry. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed, according to the Israeli government. Trump suggested he would not be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in a message on Truth Social. (AP) Israel says the attacks are targeting nuclear sites and high-ranking military officers, several of whom have been killed. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks deep into northern and southern Israel. Earlier this week, Trump set out a self-imposed two-week timeline for a decision on US military involvement in Iran. After meeting with a top EU official and foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday, Iran's foreign minister said his country would not re-enter negotiations with the US while it remains under attack from Israel. Just on Friday, Trump sought to stress his diplomatic successes in the Middle East and beyond, while suggesting he would not gain recognition for them. "I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between India and Pakistan," he posted on his Truth Social platform. "I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be." Donald Trump Pakistan World USA CONTACT US


The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Belarus opposition leader, 13 others freed from jail
Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say. Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X. A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said. A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added. "We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners. Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said. A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile. He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded. "My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters. The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports. US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus. In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country. Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic. She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election. with DPA and AP Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say. Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X. A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said. A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added. "We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners. Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said. A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile. He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded. "My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters. The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports. US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus. In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country. Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic. She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election. with DPA and AP Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say. Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X. A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said. A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added. "We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners. Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said. A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile. He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded. "My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters. The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports. US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus. In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country. Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic. She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election. with DPA and AP Belarus has released 14 political prisoners following a visit by US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg to Minsk, media reports say. Opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski was among the people freed, his wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a post on social media site X. A court in Belarus sentenced Tsikhanouski in 2021 to 18 years in jail after he was arrested during an attempt to run for president against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko. Tsikhanouski is now in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, a spokesperson for his wife said. A total of 14 prisoners were released, the spokesperson added. "We're not done," Tsikhanouskaya said, calling for the release of a further 1,150 prisoners. Tsikhanouski, a blogger and activist who was jailed in 2020, arrived in Lithuania alongside 13 other political prisoners, his wife's team said. A video published on his wife's official Telegram account showed Tsikhanouski disembarking a white minibus, with a shaved head and broad smile. He pulled Tsikhanouskaya into a long embrace as their supporters applauded. "My husband is free. It's difficult to describe the joy in my heart," Tsikhanouskaya told reporters. The prominent journalist Igor Karney was also released on Saturday, according to the reports. US envoy Kellogg met with the authoritarian Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday to discuss a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine and bilateral relations between the United States and Belarus. In Belarus' 2020 election, Lukashenko had once again proclaimed himself the winner, triggering unprecedented protests in the country. Many considered Tikhanovskaya to be the real winner of the ballot in the former Soviet republic. She fled into exile in neighbouring Lithuania after the election. with DPA and AP