‘Tearing up my passport was the right decision’ Belarusian oppositionist Maria Kolesnikova talks to Dozhd ahead of trial in Minsk
The trial of Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova (Maryia Kalesnikava) began in Minsk on Wednesday, August 4. Along with opposition lawyer Maxim Znak, she stands accused of calling for actions that threatened the national security of Belarus. The exact content of the charges remains unknown and the trial is taking place behind closed doors. Before the start of the hearing on Wednesday, Maria Kolesnikova danced inside the courtroom cage and made a heart sign with her hands — one of the symbols of the opposition movement. The independent Russian television network Dozhd interviewed Kolesnikova ahead of her trial. Here’s what she said, in brief.
The charges against Maxim Znak and I are absurd. The current Belarusian government is a “gang of dastardly, cowardly scammers.” They proposed that I “act in a film à la Roman Protasevich.” I replied that I would tell the whole truth about my abduction, the investigation, and the lawlessness in the pre-trial detention center. I will not write an appeal for clemency because I am not guilty. I don’t judge those who cooperate with the authorities [to secure their release] — everyone makes their own choice. Viktor Babariko received a harsh sentence because they’re afraid of him. All of the talk about Russia’s support is smoke and mirrors. But it’s easier for Lukashenko to go crawling on his knees for “support” than to end the stand-off in Belarus. Apparently he forgot that he’s not living with Vladimir Putin, but with the Belarusian people. The sanctions are important because Belarusians must feel that they aren’t alone in a situation of terror. Having stayed in the country after the elections, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. On the day of my arrest, I wasn’t sure I would survive. I don’t regret a thing. I think that tearing up my passport was the right decision.
This is a summary of Maria Kolesnikova’s interview with Dozhd. You can read the full Q&A in Russian here.
Maria Kolesnikova in court on August 4, 2021
Meduza
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Who?
Before she became a political activist, Maria Kolesnikova was a professional musician and art director. Maxim Znak is a lawyer. In 2020, they joined the campaign team of Belarusian banker Viktor Babariko, who was arrested after announcing plans to register his candidacy for the presidential election. In the lead up to the election, Kolesnikova and Znak became two of the most prominent faces of the Belarusian opposition. They were arrested in early September and charged with incitement to undermine national security.
What happened?
In May, the Belarusian authorities arrested journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, after removing them from a Ryanair flight that was diverted to Minsk. The passenger plane, which was travelling from Athens to Vilnius, was forced to land in Belarus after the authorities reported an alleged bomb threat on board. Protasevich later appeared in a number of interviews on Belarusian state television, where he condemned the opposition. He and Sapega were transferred to house arrest in late June.
What abduction?
Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by unidentified men in the center of the Belarusian capital on the morning of September 7. A day later, Belarusian state media reported that she had been arrested at the border with Ukraine, which she allegedly planned to cross illegally. According to her colleagues, Belarusian security officials hoped to force her out of the country, but she ripped up her passport before reaching the border checkpoint, preventing herself from leaving Belarus.
Who?
Ex-Belgazprombank executive Viktor Babariko (Viktar Babaryka) announced plans to run in the Belarusian presidential election in May 2020. He was considered the leading potential candidate and main opponent of incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Babariko was arrested in June following a raid on Belgazprombank’s office. Election officials subsequently refused to register his candidacy for the presidential election.