Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned Rico Krieger,
a German citizen sentenced to death on terrorism and other
charges,
according to the state news agency Beltier.
Krieger was convicted in Belarus in 2022 for his involvement
in what Belarusian authorities described as a failed attempt to
overthrow the government.
The pardon comes amid increasing tensions between Belarus and the
West,
with the European Union and other countries imposing sanctions on
Lukashenko's regime over human rights abuses and the suppression of
political dissent.
The decision to pardon Krieger is seen as a potential
gesture of goodwill from Lukashenko,
who has faced international condemnation for his authoritarian role and
crackdown.
The move could also be an attempt by Lukashenko to
improve Belarus's relations with Germany and the EU,
though it remains to be seen if it will have
any significant impact on the strained diplomatic ties.