Trump official says that at least one American citizen is released from detention in Belarus

Washington A hostage negotiator in the hostage said at least a US citizen was released at least one American citizen who was detained in Belarus on Wednesday.

Adam Bouhler, the American envoy of the hostages, told the White House correspondents that the individual wanted to remain special. He said that two other people were released on Wednesday as part of the deal. Europe Radio/Radio Freedom It was identified Journalist Andre Koznik, who was arrested in November 2021, as one of the people who released them. Another woman, now in Texas, was released two weeks ago in what Boehler described as the “first stage” of the version.

“The second stage has been done today,” said Bouhler, adding that it was “unilateral release” and the United States did not present anything in return.

Chris Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Eastern Europe, said that the deal was negotiated by the Belarusian authorities in Minsk and that it indicates the desire of Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, a stronger relationship with the United States

“This was a single -side gesture by the Lukashenko authorities,” Smith said in an interview with CN. “They respond to power. They are looking to improve relationships. This was a gesture on their part.”

Smith said that the three individuals were handed over to the nursery in Belarus, and then “the United States returned” through Lithuania.

The news comes a day after Mark Vogel, an American teacher held in Russia since 2021, It was released by the KremlinBelarus ally.

President Trump said on Tuesday that another American will be released abroad on Wednesday, saying: “Another person will be released tomorrow you will know.” But he did not explain more.

Vogel met Mr. Trump at the White House late on Tuesday, shortly after reaching the United States

The Biden Administration recently announced that Vogel had been wrongly detained, after years of arresting drugs in Moscow. His family said that Vogel was carrying 17 grams of marijuana to treat chronic back pain.

“The smartest thing you can do to lie with this with the President of the United States is to return the Americans to the house,” Bouhler told reporters.