Among those pardoned are 14 women and 16 men, some with serious illnesses, and others in retirement age, according to the presidency statement released on Saturday by the BelTA news agency notes. The note underlines that “all of them admitted their guilt, sincerely repented for what they had done, and committed themselves to lead a law-abiding life”.

According to the text, the Ministry of the Interior will ensure the control and the fulfillment of these commitments on behalf of the Head of State. The signed acts of pardon permit these people to rehabilitate themselves before the state and society.

Lukashenko declared last July 2 that seriously ill opposition activists, mainly those with cancer, who took part in the 2020 protests in the country and then were convicted, could be released in the coming days.

Following the presidential elections held in Belarus on August 9, 2020, which Lukashenko won for the sixth time, violent opposition demonstrations took place in the country.

jrr/arm/rgh/gf