On Friday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 15 prisoners in what state media described as a humanitarian gesture, just two days before an election that is expected to extend his 31-year rule.
Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is poised to secure another five-year term on Sunday. The exiled opposition has criticized the election, labeling it a sham due to the imprisonment or exile of all major critics.
State media reported that Lukashenko pardoned eight individuals convicted of extremist activities and seven with drug-related charges, without revealing their identities. Earlier in the week, he approved a decree increasing pensions by an average of 10%.
Political analysts suggest that Lukashenko aims to improve relations with the West by using the election and prisoner releases as steps towards reconciliation, especially amidst potential peace talks in Ukraine this year. Consequently, he seeks to bolster his position and the interests of Belarus in the event of a resolution to the conflict.
After facing widespread protests post-2020 election, where allegations of vote falsification led to a violent crackdown, Lukashenko continues to be unrecognized by the European Union and the United States as the legitimate leader. He maintains his innocence of any electoral fraud, attributing his staying power to popular support.
Despite the release of over 250 political prisoners in the past year, the banned human rights group Viasna claims there are still approximately 1,250 such detainees in Belarus, many of whom are elderly, ill, or nearing the end of their sentences.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled opposition leader, characterized Lukashenko's gradual prisoner releases as a strategic tactic to gain favor from Western nations. She criticized the upcoming election in Belarus as a ritual that dictatorships utilize to prolong their rule, distinct from democratic practices.
In the upcoming election, Lukashenko faces four other candidates, none of whom pose a significant challenge. Lukashenko has opted out of active participation in the campaign, including skipping a televised candidate debate this week, citing a busy schedule.