“The release of 52 people [political prisoners held by Belarusian authorities] today was a very good gesture; our goal is the normalization of relations with Belarus,” Cole said.
Asked about Washington lifting sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, Cole likened it to a “tennis match.” He noted that Minsk freed 14 political prisoners, and the West responded by rescinding sanctions on the carrier.
When pressed on whether he expects self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko to free all political prisoners, Cole said he hopes that will happen.
Cole’s wife, journalist Greta van Susteren, said negotiations on the releases lasted two days.
“I just got a text with a tweet saying that my husband freed 52 political prisoners from a Belarusian jail,” she said.
“It’s the first I’ve heard from him in two days because he couldn’t use his phone for security reasons. I’m happy for these 52 people, and I’m also just happy knowing he’s all right.”
Earlier on Sept. 11, Lukashenko pardoned 14 foreigners convicted of espionage, extremist or terrorist activities, and other crimes. Among them were six Lithuanians; one French citizen; one UK national; and two each from Latvia, Poland, and Germany.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said 52 political prisoners arrived in Lithuania later the same day.