WASHINGTON (AP) — Belarus has released three individuals, including an American citizen and a journalist, who had been detained for a period exceeding three years, according to U.S. officials on Wednesday. The White House did not disclose the identity of the American individual or the specific charges for which this person was held. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has identified one of the individuals who was released as Andrey Kuznechyk, a journalist working for the organization. Kuznechyk was arrested in 2021 near his residence in Minsk amidst a sweeping crackdown by the Belarusian authorities on independent media within the country.
President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Stephen Capus, expressed joy over the release of Kuznechyk, emphasizing the reunion of the journalist with his wife and two children after being separated for more than three years. Capus credited President Trump for facilitating the return of the journalist and extended gratitude to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Lithuanian government for their assistance in the matter.
Reports suggest that Kuznechyk had been accused of involvement with an extremist group and subsequently sentenced to imprisonment. However, U.S. officials and advocacy groups supporting press freedom have classified him as a political prisoner and campaigned for his release.
These developments follow the recent announcement by the White House of a prisoner exchange with Russia, resulting in the return of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel from Pennsylvania after a prolonged period of detention exceeding three years. President Trump had hinted at further positive news during a White House briefing, indicating that another individual would be returning home on the same day.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the releases by Belarus as a significant achievement, particularly in the wake of Marc Foley’s repatriation back to the United States the previous evening.
