THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED

C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000049 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PINR BO SUBJECT: THIRD POLITICAL PRISONER RELEASED REF: MINSK 044 Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d). ¶1. (C) The Belarusian regime freed political prisoner Yuriy Leonov late January 25. Former political prisoner and prisoner rights activist Timofey Dranchuk reported earlier on January 25 to Pol/Econ Chief that Leonov would be released shortly. A friend and business partner of recently released political prisoner Nikolay Avtukhovich, Leonov was charged together with Avtukhovich in 2006. He received a three-year five-month sentence, which he was serving in a prison camp in Bobruysk. ¶2. (C) Comment: During a January 24 meeting with Ambassador, Avtukhovich (septel) indicated that he had seen no indication as to when or if Leonov would be released. According to Avtukhovich, prison officials recently notified Leonov of a possibility of transfer to khimya (protective custody),though based on law he would only be eligible for transfer after March 21. This is the third release of political prisoners in roughly a week (reftel),and provides further indication of the regime's intent to speed up the release of all long-term political prisoners. End comment. STEWART