Maryja Kolesnikava

Maryja Kolesnikava is a prominent Belarusian opposition leader and activist known for her role in the protests against President Aleksandr Lukashenko following the controversial 2020 presidential election. As a key figure in the coordination council for the opposition, she has been a vocal advocate for democratic reforms and human rights in Belarus. Kolesnikava was arrested in September 2020 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges widely regarded as politically motivated. Her commitment to the movement for democracy in Belarus and her courage in the face of repression have made her a symbol of resistance, and she was among the 123 prisoners released in a recent amnesty, which included other notable political figures.