Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko pardons 37 people convicted of "extremism" – a term often used in cases against political prisoners and regime critics of the authoritarian regime.
Among those pardoned are chronically ill people and pensioners, according to the state media company Belta.
Just under two weeks ago, another pardon took place. Then, seven female and 23 male political prisoners were released, most of them parents of small children. In August, 30 people were also released who had been convicted of participating in Belarus' regime-critical protests.
The pardons take place ahead of a Belarusian holiday on September 17.
According to human rights organizations, nearly 1,400 Belarusians are still imprisoned for protesting against Lukashenko's authoritarian regime, which after the controversial presidential election in 2020 brutally suppressed all forms of criticism against the government.
