Maria Pashkovskaya

Maria Pashkovskaya, a 34-year-old from Zhlobin, Belarus, is known for her strong civic stance and activism. She graduated from the Gomel Gymnasium No. 46 in 2009 and obtained a degree in French from the Minsk State Linguistic University in 2014. Outside her professional life, Maria is passionate about nature and animal rescue. She gained attention during the 2020 elections when she protested against what she termed 'elections without choice' at a rally for opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, demanding clear positions on the Ukraine conflict from opposition politicians. In July 2026, she was convicted under Belarusian law for 'aiding extremist activities' and for 'defaming President Lukashenko', reflecting the country's broader crackdown on dissent and political opposition.