US authorities have eased sanctions against the Belarusian flag-carrier Belavia, following an agreement involving the release of political prisoners.
Sanctions against Belavia were imposed more than two years ago, and extended to include president Alexander Lukashenko’s official Boeing 767 transport.
But the US Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a general licence, dated 11 September, stating that transactions with Belavia “are authorised”.
It frees the carrier to engage in a range of business activities with US companies or citizens.
This also covers entities in which Belavia owns, directly or indirectly, at least a 50% interest.
The licence retains certain prohibitions including the unblocking of property and other frozen assets.
Easing of the sanctions follows negotiations between White House officials and Lukashenko covering the release of political prisoners.
Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who stood against Lukashenko in the 2020 election, but was subsequently exiled, states on her social media channel that “political hostages” have been freed from prison and are “expressing gratitude to President [Donald] Trump and the international community for their freedom”.
