At least one U.S. citizen who had been detained in Belarus was released Wednesday, the United States’ top hostage negotiator said, one of three prisoners being freed.
Adam Boehler, the U.S. envoy for hostages, told reporters at the White House that the individual wants to remain private. Two other individuals were released Wednesday as part of the deal, he said. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty identified its journalist Andrey Kuznechyk, who was arrested in November 2021, as one of the people released. Another woman, who is now in Texas, was released two weeks ago in what Boehler described as “phase one” of the release.
“Phase two was done today,” Boehler said, adding that it was a “unilateral release” and the U.S. gave nothing in return.
Chris Smith, deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe, said the deal was negotiated by Belarusian authorities in Minsk and that it signaled a desire by Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, to have a stronger relationship with the U.S.
“This was a unilateral gesture by the Lukashenko authorities,” Smith said in an interview with CNN. “They’re responding to strength. They’re looking to improve ties. This was a gesture on their side.”
Smith said the three individuals were handed over to U.S. custody in Belarus, and the U.S. then “brought them back out through Lithuania.”
