Iran Iran executes detainee of the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement Iran's judiciary announced on Sunday that it had carried out the death execution of Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, a man arrested during 2022 protest movement, launched after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in Iran's morality police custody. 03/05/2026
Europe News Belarus frees journalist Andrzej Poczobut in prisoner swap Poczobut, a correspondent for the influential Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, was serving eight years in prison in a case condemned as politically motivated. 28/04/2026
Belarus 'Talk to Lukashenka or face Putin,' freed Belarus activist warns EU After almost five and a half years in prison, Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kalesnikava has a clear warning for Europe, as she sees Belarus increasingly under Russian influence. 27/03/2026
France Iranian woman jailed in France may become pawn in Tehran prisoner swap Convicted in France for “glorifying terrorism”, the Iranian national is being mentioned as part of a potential prisoner-swap scenario with Tehran involving French detainees Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been released from jail but cannot leave Iran. 26/02/2026
Venezuela Venezuela approves amnesty for likely release of political detainees Although the new law was not a prerequisite for the government to free prisoners, the approval marks a reversal for authorities in the South American nation, who for decades have denied holding any political prisoners. 20/02/2026
Venezuela Hunger strike of relatives for the quick release of Venezuelan disside Ten people began a hunger strike in Venezuela to demand the release of the remaining 33 political prisoners at Zona 7, while 17 were freed on Saturday. Relatives continue to protest for an amnesty law. 15/02/2026
Venezuela Venezuela frees several high-profile opposition figures and activists Venezuela released a "significant number" of high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists in a gesture to seek peace, just days after the capture of Nicolás Maduro. 09/01/2026
USA Detained Columbia student calls arrest ‘anti-Palestinian racism' Khalil was arrested on 8 March for his role in campus protests against Israel and was later transferred from New York to Louisiana, a move his lawyers argue was politically motivated. 19/03/2025
Iran Two judges linked to mass executions in 1988 shot dead in Irann Both men were named by activists and exiles as taking part in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 on the orders of Iran's Supreme Leader. 18/01/2025
No Comment WATCH: Families search Saydnaya prison for missing loved ones Thousands of Syrians have flocked to Saydnaya prison, infamous for mass executions and torture under Assad’s regime, seeking news of missing relatives. Known as the "Human Slaughterhouse," Saydnaya was taken over by rebel forces on 8 December 2024, leading to the release of surviving inmates. 13/12/2024
Culture news Nobel Prize winning authors demand release of writer Boualem Sansal Multiple Nobel Prize-winning authors have signed a petition to demand the release of Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. 26/11/2024
Europe News My sister is slowly dying in Belarusian prison, says activist's family Former flautist Maria Kolesnikova has been in jail in Belarus for four years, but her friends and family haven't heard from her since early 2023. 10/10/2024
Belarus What is happening to Belarusian political prisoner Maria Kalesnikava? It’s been four years since the authorities in Minsk imprisoned Belarusian musician and political activist Maria Kalesnikava. Her younger sister and political ally refuse to let her be consigned to oblivion. 06/09/2024
Russia Russian court sends ex-ballerina to prison over €46 Ukraine donation Ksenia Karelina has been convicted of treason after she donated to a US charity aiding Ukraine. 15/08/2024
World News World leaders hail landmark US-Russia prisoner swap World leaders have shown a mix of relief and concern in the wake of a massive prisoner swap between Russia and the West — the biggest in post-Soviet history. 02/08/2024
World News 'It's hard to fight our own dictatorship and a foreign dictatorship' Where is the "Kashcheyeva's Needle" of Lukashenko's regime? Will Europe slip into a "yard fight" with "mafiosi" in Minsk and Moscow? Writer, activist and political emigrant Sasha Filipenko tells Euronews about his hopes and fears for Belarus 01/06/2024