Belarus has unilaterally released an American woman from detention, as announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. citizen, identified as Anastassia Nuhfer, was detained during the tenure of former President Joe Biden. The exact circumstances of her arrest were not specified.
President Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as 'Europe's last dictator,' orchestrated an election poised to extend his three-decade-long rule. Despite waves of prisoner releases, over 1,250 individuals remain detained in Belarus for opposing the authorities.
Lukashenko's opponents have criticized Sunday's election as a sham, citing his crackdown on dissent and free speech. The 2020 election led to unprecedented mass protests in Belarus.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that Nuhfer was detained in early December 2024. Lukashenko reportedly offered to release her as a gesture of goodwill, while continuing to detain Belarusian opposition figures.
Nuhfer's release surprised both the public and Belarusian activists, as her arrest had not been publicly disclosed. The circumstances surrounding her detention were unknown to rights groups.
Lukashenko's support for the war in Ukraine has strained Belarus' relations with the U.S. and the EU. However, experts suggest that Minsk may seek to engage with the West post-election to reduce its reliance on Russia.
The motivations behind Nuhfer's release remain unclear, with speculations about potential concessions sought by Minsk in exchange for her freedom.
