Freed in Trump deal: Prisoners in exile tell of brutality behind bars in Belarus
Freed in Trump deal: Prisoners in exile tell of brutality behind bars in Belarus
They were freed in September under a deal between Belarus’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.
Read the full article on BBC World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's claim about a 'Trump deal' is misleading, as the provided sources indicate the release occurred in June 2025, after Trump's presidency. The article exhibits a moderate bias by framing the release solely as a result of Trump's actions, neglecting other potential factors or actors involved.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Prisoners were freed in September under a deal between Belarus's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.
- Verification Source #1: Source 1 indicates that prisoners were released and forced into exile. It does not mention Trump's involvement or a specific deal in September.
- Verification Source #2: Source 2 mentions prisoners being released during the same period but does not specify Trump's involvement or a deal.
- Verification Source #3: Source 3 mentions the release of Sergei Tikhanovsky in June 2025, after five years in prison, and does not mention Trump's involvement.
- Verification Source #4: Source 4 mentions the US securing the release of Belarusian prisoners in June 2025, but does not explicitly state it was a 'deal' with Trump.
- Verification Source #5: Source 5 indicates that prisoners were released and forced into exile. It does not mention Trump's involvement or a specific deal in September.
- Assessment: Contradicted. The sources indicate the release occurred in June 2025, not September, and while the US was involved, framing it solely as a 'Trump deal' is not supported by the sources.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 3: Jun 21, 2025 ... ... exile in capital Vilnius, after five years in prison.
- Source 4: Jun 24, 2025 ... Tsikhanouski was one of fourteen Belarusian political prisoners to be released