Belarus prisoners released to Lithuania in US deal confused by ‘forced deportations’

Freed prisoners were near end of jail terms and should have right to stay in Belarus, say exiled opposition leaders

Belarusian prisoners released from jail and exiled to Lithuania in a US-brokered deal have said they were confused over having to leave Belarus – especially as many were almost due to be freed anyway.

Belarus freed 52 prisoners including an EU employee on Thursday after an appeal from Donald Trump as Washington and Minsk consider a rapprochement that many European leaders have viewed with scepticism.