Confusion in the lists of released political prisoners: a different Makhnach was released, Navazhantsau was freed instead of Navazhylau
Human rights defenders reported confusion in the lists of political prisoners released on March 19: some people who were expected to be freed remained in colonies, while other prisoners with similar surnames were released instead.
Thus, Aleś Makhnach, a defendant in the "Hayun case," was listed in the initial lists — however, he was not released. Instead, political prisoner Uladzimir Makhnach, who was sentenced to 4.5 years of imprisonment under several articles, was released, Viasna writes.
38-year-old Aliaksandr Makhnach was sentenced in the "Hayun case." He was charged with calls for actions aimed at causing harm to national security, as well as facilitating extremist activity. By court decision of October 22, 2025, he received 4 years of imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony. He is included in the official lists of "terrorists" and "extremists."
48-year-old Uladzimir Makhnach was convicted for insulting Lukashenka, and for inciting social hatred. On October 29, 2024, he was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony, along with a fine of 500 basic units. Included in the lists of "terrorists" and "extremists."
A similar situation occurred with political prisoner journalist Dzmitry Navazhylau, who was in the initial lists for release but did not leave the colony.
Instead, political prisoner Uladzislau Navazhantsau, who was not on the lists of pardoned individuals, was released.
Dzmitry Navazhylau (53 years old), former director of the BelaPAN news agency, was convicted in the high-profile "BelaPAN case" for participation in an extremist formation and allegedly for tax evasion. He was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony.
Uladzislau Navazhantsau (44 years old) was convicted in the Homiel Regional Court for inciting social hatred, as well as for insulting a government official and Lukashenka. In October 2023, he was sentenced to imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony — the exact term is unknown. On March 19, 2026, he was released as part of the pardon of 250 political prisoners after the visit of US special envoy John Cole to Minsk.
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