Belarus frees 52 prisoners after Trump appeal, US eases some sanctions on Minsk

Belarus released 52 prisoners of various nationalities on Thursday after an appeal from US President Donald Trump and they were headed to Lithuania with the US delegation that negotiated their release, the US embassy in Vilnius said. Trump had earlier called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to release detainees whom the US leader has described as "hostages". Belarus later confirmed their release. In return for Lukashenko's gesture, the US will grant sanctions relief to Belarus's national airline Belavia, allowing it to service and buy components for its fleet, which includes Boeing aircraft, the US embassy spokesperson in Vilnius said. It was the biggest batch of prisoners so far pardoned by Lukashenko, who...