Event 1068

{
  "category": "Uncategorized",
  "confidence": "High",
  "country": "Belarus",
  "description": "The article discusses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's use of political prisoners as hostages or bargaining chips, particularly in the context of international sanctions. It highlights the cyclical nature of repression followed by prisoner releases aimed at easing sanctions, especially those targeting the potash sector via the state-owned company Belaruskali, a key revenue source for Lukashenko. The piece notes ongoing issues like Belarus's role in aiding Russia's war against Ukraine, illicit trafficking, and military cooperation agreements with Iran, emphasizing that Lukashenko's release of 14 political prisoners should not lead to complacency regarding his regime's behavior or sanctions strategy.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-06-23T13:09:51Z",
  "evidence": [
    "Let’s not forget that for Lukashenko, political prisoners are just hostages or bargaining chips.",
    "Lukashenko’s political legitimacy is strengthened cyclically by releasing some prisoners but continues repression.",
    "The most painful sanctions target the potash sector, specifically the state-owned company Belaruskali.",
    "Belarus re-exports potash via Lithuanian railways and ports, complicating sanctions enforcement.",
    "Sanctions relief efforts by Lukashenko involve trading prisoners for easing sanctions.",
    "Belarus signed a defense cooperation roadmap with Iran covering drones, missiles, cyber, and logistics in March 2023.",
    "Belarus’s demonstration of drones on Independence Day falsely claimed domestic production though they are produced in shared factories with Iran.",
    "Over a thousand political prisoners remain in Belarus, and Lukashenko has not been held accountable for illegal hijacking of a civilian passenger flight.",
    "Europe and Lithuania are urged to maintain pressure on Lukashenko’s regime and support victims of his policies."
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "evidence": [
          "Let’s not forget that for Lukashenko, political prisoners are just hostages or bargaining chips.",
          "Lukashenko’s political legitimacy is strengthened cyclically by releasing some prisoners but continues repression.",
          "The most painful sanctions target the potash sector, specifically the state-owned company Belaruskali.",
          "Belarus re-exports potash via Lithuanian railways and ports, complicating sanctions enforcement.",
          "Sanctions relief efforts by Lukashenko involve trading prisoners for easing sanctions.",
          "Belarus signed a defense cooperation roadmap with Iran covering drones, missiles, cyber, and logistics in March 2023.",
          "Belarus’s demonstration of drones on Independence Day falsely claimed domestic production though they are produced in shared factories with Iran.",
          "Over a thousand political prisoners remain in Belarus, and Lukashenko has not been held accountable for illegal hijacking of a civilian passenger flight.",
          "Europe and Lithuania are urged to maintain pressure on Lukashenko’s regime and support victims of his policies."
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "location_text": "Belarus",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "Screenshot capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_1068_1764402189_b2e82e16.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1.0,
  "url": "https://landsbergis.com/the-art-of-lukashenkos-deal-in-belarus/"
}

{
  "source": "admin_quick",
  "tags": [],
  "url": "https://landsbergis.com/the-art-of-lukashenkos-deal-in-belarus/"
}