Belarus president frees 6 jailed opponents

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko has released from jail six opposition leaders -- considered the last political prisoners in this ex-Soviet state -- less than two months before the next presidential poll, the presidency announced Saturday.

Among the six opponents is Mikola Statkevich, a former presidential candidate imprisoned since 2010, the statement said.

Statkevich's wife confirmed to AFP that he had been freed and was expected to arrive Saturday evening in the capital Minsk.

"Considering humane principles, President Lukashenko has decided to pardon and allow to go free" the six opposition figures, the presidency said.

In power since 1994, Lukashenko, once dubbed by Washington as "Europe's last dictator", has been criticised for his authoritarian rule and accused by rights group of not respecting civil liberties.

He was re-elected to a fourth term in December 2010 in a poll marred by a violent crackdown on the opposition.

Statkevich, now aged 58, was a rival candidate in that disputed election, winning just one percent of the vote.

He was sentenced in 2010 to six years in jail for allegedly organising mass street protests against Lukashenko's victory.

Statkevich was recognised as a political prisoner by Amnesty International and Western officials have regularly pushed for his release.

Lukashenko earlier this month had refused to give a definite answer of when Statkevich could be released, but suggested it could be before the October vote.

"If (I decide) to release him, then it will be before the elections," he said, referring to presidential polls on October 11 when Lukashenko is expected to extend his two-decade-long grip on power.