A statement on his website says Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 20 more people that rights activists describe as political prisoners.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 20 people who were convicted of extremism, state media reported on Saturday. "All of them applied for pardon and repented of what they had done," state news agency Belta said citing Lukashenko's press-service.

Most were jailed following mass anti-government protests in 2020, when Lukashenko secured his sixth term in a vote widely condemned as fraudulent. #EuropeNews

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 20 individuals convicted of extremism. The pardons were reported by state media, with all individuals having applied for clemency and expressed remorse for their actions.

According to Belarusian state media, Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 20 political prisoners. This marks the eighth group to be pardoned this year. Eleven women and 14 individuals with chronic illnesses were released.