TALLINN, Estonia — After a troubling absence of over 20 months without contact, imprisoned Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova has made a reappearance, meeting with her father in a prison hospital, as reported by a human rights organization on Tuesday.
Kolesnikova, a prominent activist known for her pivotal role in the protests against President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime, last communicated with anyone in February 2023. The 42-year-old, who transitioned from a musician to an emblematic figure in the Belarusian opposition, has faced serious health issues while serving an 11-year sentence in a facility near Gomel.
The Belarusian rights group Viasna shared the news of Kolesnikova’s meeting with her father, Alexander Kolesnikov. The former opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich, who has shifted his allegiance to the government following his own arrest, released photographs depicting the emotional moment between Kolesnikova and her father. However, confirmation regarding the date and authenticity of the photos remains unverified.
Kolesnikova emerged as a significant symbol of defiance during the mass protests ignited by the controversial presidential election in August 2020, which granted Lukashenko a sixth term amid widespread allegations of fraud. Recognizable for her unique hairstyle and radiant smile, she frequently appeared at the forefront of demonstrations, often using her characteristic heart gesture to connect with supporters.
Her status as a figure of resistance intensified when authorities attempted to deport her the following month. During this attempt, she famously escaped the grasp of security personnel at the neutral border zone, shredded her passport, and reentered Belarus voluntarily. A year later, she was convicted on charges related to conspiracy to seize power.
In November 2022, Kolesnikova was transferred to an intensive care unit for surgery due to a severe perforated ulcer. Reports from former inmates indicated that she had lost a significant amount of weight during her incarceration, weighing only about 45 kilograms (100 pounds). Before the protests in 2020, Kolesnikova was a professional classical flautist and remains one of several notable opponents of Lukashenko currently imprisoned.
Viasna estimates that there are approximately 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus, including Ales Bialiatsky, the group’s founder and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Disturbingly, at least seven inmates have reportedly died while in custody.
The U.N. Human Rights Committee has consistently urged Belarusian officials to implement “urgent protective measures” for Kolesnikova and others who are imprisoned without contact. In a recent statement, the European Parliament reiterated its call for the liberation of all political prisoners in Belarus.
As Lukashenko prepares for the upcoming January 2025 election, he has released 146 political prisoners since July, primarily those with health issues who have filed for pardons. Despite these releases, a new wave of arrests is taking place, aimed at suppressing any dissent prior to the election.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition, expressed relief that Kolesnikova was permitted to see her father and reiterated demands for her release along with those of other political prisoners. She emphasized the urgency to continue advocating for the end of isolation practices faced by imprisoned opposition leaders.
Pavel Sapelka from Viasna remarked that Kolesnikova’s meeting with her father might indicate Lukashenko’s readiness to initiate discussions regarding the fates of other political detainees. He suggested that Lukashenko is closely monitoring the international response to these developments as he navigates the impending election.