«The day many were waiting for». EPAM Founder Reacts to the Release of 123 Political Prisoners
«Today was the day many were waiting for. Deep gratitude to Christopher W. Smith for the efforts, persistence, and prudence behind this. Thank you,» wrote EPAM founder Arkadiy Dobkin on LinkedIn after the release of 123 political prisoners from Belarusian penal colonies became known on December 13. Devby.io drew attention to his post.
Arkadiy Dobkin. Photo: «Nasha Niva»
Christopher W. Smith, whom Dobkin thanked, is the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe, and for Policy and Regional Affairs in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
Dobkin attached a link to the U.S. Department of State website page introducing Christopher W. Smith to his post.
On Saturday, December 13, a new and, to date, the most massive phase of the release of Belarusian political prisoners occurred — following a visit to Minsk by a U.S. delegation led by Special Representative John Cowl and the announcement of the lifting of American sanctions on Belarusian potash. 123 people were released from prison — Viktar Babaryka, Maryia Kalesnikava, Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, Maryna Zolatava, and many other prominent figures.
Among the released were at least four Belarusian IT specialists:
- 39-year-old programmer Aliaksandr Yashkin from Grodno. In early 2024, the Hrodna Regional Court sentenced him to 4 years in a general regime penal colony on charges of donations, calls to seize power, etc.
- 49-year-old programmer Natallia Davydka, a graduate of the Minsk Radio Engineering Institute, was detained in January 2024, accused of facilitating extremist activities, etc., and sentenced to imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.
- 34-year-old programmer Nastassia Zhylskaya. She worked at Exadel, was detained in September 2024, accused of calls for sanctions, incitement to hatred, etc. Under the articles of accusation, she could have been sentenced to a term of 4 to 12 years.
- 37-year-old IT specialist Viktar Meka. He created custom games and mods for Dota 2. He was detained in February 2025, and sentenced to 2 years in a general regime penal colony under the article on calls for actions against national security.
In addition, it is known that the list of released persons includes four employees of the "Peleng" enterprise: Karyna Pratashchyk, Iryna Surzhyk, Vadzim Zhukouski, and Siarhei Zialianouski.
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