Julia Fenner, a UK-Belarus dual citizen and the wife of a British diplomat, has been released from prison in Belarus as part of a wider agreement between the United States and Belarusian authorities. The announcement was made by UK Europe Minister Stephen Doughty, who expressed relief over Fenner's return home, calling it great news.
Fenner was initially detained while crossing into Belarus in March 2024 and subsequently received a seven-year prison sentence on charges that some human rights advocates deemed politically motivated. Her release is part of a deal that saw the release of 52 political prisoners by Belarus in exchange for the US easing some sanctions, particularly concerning Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it access to necessary aircraft parts.
Stephen Doughty hailed the prisoner release as a significant breakthrough, acknowledging the substantial diplomatic efforts made by the US to facilitate these developments. While this reduction of the political prisoner population is a notable step, over 1,000 individuals remain incarcerated under Belarus's authoritarian regime led by President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994.
In a related note, Belarus's exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya commended the US's involvement and expressed concern for other prisoners, particularly veteran dissident Mikola Statkevich, who opted to stay in Belarus rather than accept deportation.
Many of the prisoners released were trade union leaders, journalists, and activists. The backdrop to these developments includes an ongoing crackdown on dissent since the controversial 2020 presidential elections, which have international observers claiming were rigged.
