Political prisoners13 Dec 2025BBC captures celebrations as Belarus frees political prisonersSouthern & Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports from Lithuania, where some of the released prisoners were taken.13 Dec 202521 Apr 2025El Salvador offers Venezuela prisoner swap involving US deporteesEl Salvador proposes exchanging 252 US-deported Venezuelans for the same number of "political prisoners" in Venezuela.21 Apr 202510 Dec 2024Relatives of missing Syrians 'suspended between hope and despair'A woman whose grandfather, father and brothers were detained by the military tells the BBC it is "devastating" that they are still missing.10 Dec 202425 Aug 2024The lonely death of a jailed Russian pianist who opposed warWhen a Russian prisoner swap hit headlines recently, a jailed musician’s fatal hunger strike went unnoticed.25 Aug 20242 Aug 2024Freed Russian dissidents refused to sign plea for mercy from PutinBoth also conveyed gratitude to the countries who worked to free them. 2 Aug 20242 Aug 2024Watch: BBC on the runway where US freed prisoners arrivedThe BBC's Will Grant is at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, as the US welcomes back three of its citizens after the Russia-West prisoner swap.2 Aug 20242 Aug 2024Biden, Harris greet freed prisoners on return to the USThree US citizens who were being held in Russia arrive on US soil after biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War.2 Aug 20241 Aug 2024Russian TV shows freed prisoners board plane after swapAmericans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan are shown being escorted by officers at an undisclosed location.1 Aug 202423 Nov 2023Hostage families: 'Until I see them I won't believe anything'Relatives of those held anxiously wait to see if their loved ones will be among the captives freed.23 Nov 2023...
