Overview
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said 52 prisoners crossed into Lithuania, including 14 foreign nationals from six European countries.
- The U.S. delegation led by envoy John Coale mediated the releases and announced a narrowly tailored easing that lets Belavia service and buy components for its existing fleet.
- Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called the transfers forced deportations, saying passports were confiscated and temporary papers were issued.
- Veteran opposition figure Mikalai Statkevich reportedly refused to enter Lithuania and his whereabouts are unclear after Belarusian personnel took him from the border area, according to opposition accounts.
- Rights groups say roughly 1,000–1,200 political prisoners remain; those freed include RFE/RL journalist Ihar Losik and an EU delegation staff member, far short of the 1,300–1,400 releases urged by President Donald Trump.