Washington [US],May 21: The United States has demanded the release of more than 1,500 political prisoners from Belarus, according to an official statement on Saturday.
"These men and women have been arrested and incarcerated for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in pursuit of Belarusian democracy, for protesting a fraudulent election, or for opposing Russia's war against Ukraine," wrote the State Department.
"Many of their trials were held behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny or accountability," it continued.
The statement marked the eve of Day of Solidarity with Belarusian Political Prisoners on May 21.
Washington condemned Belarus for cutting off communication between the political prisoners and their families and loved ones. In some cases, relatives and lawyers do not even know where the prisoners are being held.
Belarus' authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko is often described as Europe's last dictator. He is a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Putin's support partly helped him win the 2020 election.
Belarus is more economically and financially dependent on Russia now than ever before. Minsk has also lent support to Moscow in the war in Ukraine by allowing Russian forces to use Belarusian territory to stage and launch attacks on neighbouring Ukraine.
Source: Qatar Tribune