Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova has reappeared after more than 20 months without contact with relatives or friends. Kolesnikova, a key figure in the protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, was last heard from in February 2023. The 42-year-old, who had been serving an 11-year sentence at a facility near Gomel, met her father at a prison hospital, according to Belarus' leading rights group, Viasna.
Kolesnikova, known for her role in the 2020 protests following Lukashenko's disputed re-election, gained international attention when she resisted deportation by tearing up her passport at the Ukrainian border. She was later convicted on charges including conspiracy to seize power. In November 2022, she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer while in prison.
Belarus has faced criticism for its treatment of political prisoners, with Viasna reporting around 1,300 such prisoners in the country. The U.N. Human Rights Committee and the European Parliament have called for the release of Kolesnikova and others. Lukashenko, who is seeking a seventh term in the upcoming election, has released some political prisoners but also initiated new arrests to suppress dissent.
Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed Kolesnikova's meeting with her father but emphasized the need for the release of all political prisoners. Pavel Sapelka of Viasna suggested that Lukashenko's gesture could signal a willingness to negotiate on the issue of political prisoners ahead of the election.
