Belarus has released 15 political prisoners following discussions with a U.S. envoy, John Coale, according to reports. The human rights group Viasna, which is banned in Belarus, claims that 883 political prisoners remain in the country, convicted on charges such as extremist activity, incitement to hatred, or insulting the president. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a decree pardoning the 15 prisoners after talks with Coale, who serves as an envoy for former U.S. President Donald Trump. Over the past year, Coale has negotiated with Lukashenko, securing the release of hundreds of opposition figures, activists, journalists, and lawyers in exchange for the removal of certain U.S. sanctions. Lukashenko’s office said that the 15 pardoned individuals included 10 women, and that 13 of them had been convicted of "extremist" crimes. The office noted that the pardons followed requests for clemency and expressions of remorse from the prisoners. During Coale’s recent visit to Belarus, he secured the release of 25 people, including prominent journalists and activists, though this number is significantly lower than the 250 individuals freed during a similar visit in March. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, denies holding political prisoners. However, he has engaged with the Trump administration in an effort to reduce international pressure and lift economic sanctions. Analysts suggest that Lukashenko is adopting a tougher stance, frustrated that the European Union has not offered similar relief to the U.S. in terms of sanctions, particularly on potash, a key export for Belarus. Lukashenko has also demanded the return of $43 million to $44 million in frozen Belarusian assets that he claims are "stuck" in Citibank. Coale has pledged to look into the matter, though Citibank has not commented on the issue.