MINSK, Belarus, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko declared pardons for some political prisoners amid an international backlash over his human right record.
Lukashenko declared pardons for 11 opposition activists snared during post-election violence in Minsk last year. Their identities weren't disclosed. Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports that none of them were among Lukashenko's political rivals.
Nearly 400 people were arrested during Independence Day celebrations in Belarus in early July and hundreds of political opponents to Lukashenko were detained following contentious December elections.
It's the third series of pardons for political prisoners.
Meanwhile, two Belarusian men -- Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavalyou -- could face life in prison if convicted on terrorism charges related to the April bombing of a Minsk subway station, in which killed 15 and left roughly 200 others wounded.
They were arrested shortly after the April attack, though they deny involvement, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
Critics of Lukashenko have said the men were set up so the government could tighten security measures across the country.
Last month, London blamed the Lukashenko government for taking an "increasingly repressive" approach to protests throughout the country despite international condemnations.
