USA welcomes release of Belarusian oppositionists

The U.S. Department of State welcomes the release of a group of Belarusian political prisoners, BBC reports. Alyaksandr Lukashenka pardoned six political prisoners on August 22: Mikalai Statkevich, Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Dzyadok, Yauhen VAskovich, Artsyom Prakapenka and Yury Rubtsou.

"The release of six political prisoners is a positive event for the Belarusian people and an important step towards the normalisation of Belarus-USA  relations,” the State Department announced.

The USA also urged Minsk to conduct October 11 presidential election according to the OSCE/ODIHR standards.

"These steps will strengthen the Belarusian sovereignty and independence and the USA definitely supports them,” The State Department noted.