Maria Kolesnikova, one of the leaders of mass street protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko last year, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday, the state-run Belta news agency and the Belarusian opposition reported.
KYIV -
The musician-turned-politician became one of the faces of the mass opposition movement during the August 2020 presidential election, which the protesters say was rigged to extend Lukashenko's grip on power. Kolesnikova and another senior opposition figure, Maxim Znak, were charged with extremism and trying to seize power illegally. Both denied wrongdoing and Kolesnikova called the charges absurd.Footage from the Sputnik Belarus channel showed the two in a glass cage ahead of the verdict. Kolesnikova raised her handcuffed hands to make her trademark heart sign and smiled for the cameras.
The trial, which began last month, was closed to the public on national security grounds. The circumstances of the case, the investigators and the witnesses were not disclosed. Dozens of people came to the court building on Monday, according to several videos circulating on social media.Story continues
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Belarus court hands lengthy sentence to opposition leader KolesnikovaBelarus court sentences Maria Kolesnikova, one of the country's most prominent opposition figures, to 11 years in prison for staging unprecedented protests against President Lukashenko last year
Read more »
Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentencesA court in Belarus has sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms, the latest move in the relentless crackdown Belarusian authorities have unleashed on dissent in the wake of last year’s anti-government protests
Read more »
Europe’s latest migrant crisis leaves refugees stuck between two bordersAlexander Lukashenko’s neighbours have responded to his passing on of migrants by dispatching their armies, tightening asylum rules and walling off their borders
Read more »
Wisconsin teen sentenced to 20 years for torture death of 7-year-oldA Wisconsin teen was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2018 death of his 7-year-old relative, who prosecutors say was beaten and tortured for not knowing Bible verses.
Read more »
Corrie recasts David Platt's son as actor Harry McDermott exits after a decadeHarry McDermott, 16, is leaving the role he has played for the past 11 years, with Paddy Bever taking over from late September - and there's some 'explosive' Coronation Street storylines ahead
Read more »
Among 9/11 Survivors, Health Effects LingerDana Nelson was sitting in English class on Sept. 11 when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. She fled through a cloud of toxic dust, and returned to class a month later. This is her life now.
Read more »