Lukashenko signs pardon for 22

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, on the eve of the New Year, signed a decree pardoning 22 people. Among them, 20 were convicted of extremist-related crimes, 15 are women and 7 are men, and 11 of the pardoned have minor children. All of them submitted petitions to the head of state requesting pardon, admitting guilt and expressing remorse for their actions. The decision to pardon was made on humanitarian grounds, considering family interests and positive character references of the applicants.