Belarus: opposition figures detained in intensive care

Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, who has been sentenced to a long prison term, is in the intensive care unit of her prison, according to another detained policy. Victor Babariko tweeted yesterday: “Masha is in intensive care, the reason is unknown.” He wrote, without giving details, that she had undergone the operation the day before. “She is currently in a stable and serious condition.” There are no official explanations for the event.

Along with Maria Tishanovskaya, Kolesnikova is a figurehead for the Belarusian opposition to long-term ruler Alexander Lukashenko. The two led nationwide protests in 2020 against the disputed presidential election in which Lukashenko declared himself the winner. The police and judiciary cracked down on the demonstrators.

Tichanovskaya went into exile in Lithuania, while Kolesnikova was arrested and sentenced to 11 years in prison for conspiracy to sabotage. Babariko, who was considered a promising candidate in the 2020 presidential election, was subjected to various charges before the vote, and was finally sentenced to 14 years in prison last year for bribery, tax evasion and money laundering. Trials are political theater.