{{Short description|Belarusian musician and pro-democracy activist}} {{Family name hatnote|Aleksandrovna / Alyaksandrauna |Kalesnikava|lang=Eastern Slavic}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Maria Kalesnikava | native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|be|Марыя Калеснікава}}}}<br/>{{nobold|{{lang|ru|Мария Колесникова}}}} | other_names = | image = File:Maria_Kalesnikava_2020-08.png | caption = Kalesnikava in 2020 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|04|24|df=y}} | birth_place = Minsk, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union<br />{{small|(now Minsk, Belarus)}} | awards = | title = | spouse = | alma_mater = Belarusian State Academy of Music<br/>State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart | occupation = {{hlist|Flutist|political activist|conductor|music teacher}} | website = | employer = }}
'''Maria Kalesnikava'''{{efn|name=a|This is the name she chose to be identified with, using the Russian form of her first name (''Maria'') and the Belarusian form of her surname (''Kalesnikava''). It is unknown whether she prefers the Russian (''Aleksandrovna'') or Belarusian patronymic (''Alyaksandrauna'').|group=}} ('''Marya Alyaksandrauna Kalesnikava'''{{efn|name=b|{{Langx|be|Марыя Аляксандраўна Калеснікава}}, {{IPA|be|maˈrɨja alʲakˈsandrawna kaˈlʲɛsʲnʲikava|IPA|small=no}}; also romanized as '''Maryja Alaksandraŭna Kalesnikava''' using the Belarusian Latin alphabet.}} / '''Maria Aleksandrovna Kolesnikova''';{{efn|{{langx|ru|Мария Александровна Колесникова}}, {{IPA|ru|mɐˈrʲijə ɐlʲɪkˈsandrəvnə kɐˈlʲesʲnʲɪkəvə|IPA|small=no}}.}} born 24 April 1982) is a Belarusian professional flutist and political activist. In 2020, she headed Viktar Babaryka's electoral campaign during the presidential elections of 2020 in Belarus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava: 'The international community should not stand aside' |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/a-new-tune-in-belarus/ |website=Atlantic Council|date=22 August 2020 }}</ref> Kalesnikava represented the united campaign of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, then she became a member of the presidium of the Coordination Council formed during the 2020 Belarusian protests in opposition to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rada.vision/by/siabry-rady|title=Сябры Каардынацыйнай Рады|trans-title=Members of the Coordinating Council|website=rada.vision|language=be|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=21 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821084112/https://rada.vision/by/siabry-rady|url-status=dead}}</ref> She is also a founder of the 'Razam' political party.
Kalesnikava was kidnapped by unidentified law enforcement officers on 7 September 2020 and the next morning taken into Ukrainian territory by force. Kalesnikava was intimidated and pressured to leave Belarus, but while on neutral ground she got out of the car through the rear window, tore her passport to pieces and went back on foot. On Belarusian territory she was arrested immediately. Maxim Znak, Kalesnikava's attorney, was detained the next day. On 11 September 2020, Amnesty International recognized Kalesnikava as a prisoner of conscience.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2020/09/11/kak-v-belarusi-arestovali-ili-vyslali-vseh-chlenov-oppoziczionnogo-koordinaczionnogo-soveta-za-isklyucheniem-odnogo-zayavlenie-amnesty-international/|title=Заявление. Беларусь: "Похищают лучших из нас". Произвольные аресты и принудительные высылки из страны ведущих оппозиционеров|website=eurasia.amnesty.org|date=11 September 2020|access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref> She was awarded the International Women of Courage Award in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=2021 International Women of Courage Award Recipients Announced|url=https://www.state.gov/2021-international-women-of-courage-award-recipients-announced/|access-date=5 March 2021|publisher=United States Department of State}}</ref> On 6 September 2021, Kalesnikava was sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony for her political activity.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/belarus-opposition-leader-maria-kalesnikava-jailed-in-lukashenko-purge |title=Belarus opposition leader jailed in Lukashenko 'purge' |work=The Guardian |date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=en |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/09/06/belarusian-opposition-leader-smiles-sentenced-11-years-prison/ |title=Belarusian opposition leader smiles as she is sentenced to 11 years in prison for challenging Lukashenko |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=6 September 2021 |access-date = 6 September 2021 }}</ref> She was released in December 2025 and deported from Belarus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/13/europe/belarus-us-prisoner-release-sanctions-bialiatski-kolesnikova-intl |title=Belarus frees Nobel prize laureate Bialiatski, opposition figure Kolesnikova as US lifts sanctions |publisher=CNN |date=13 December 2025 }}</ref>
==Early life and musical career== Kalesnikava was born on 24 April 1982 in Minsk to a family of engineers. She has one sibling, a sister named Tatiana Khomich.<ref name=family>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://nashaniva.com/?c=ar&i=256461&lang=ru |title = Мария Колесникова рассказала о советах Алексиевич, об истории лозунгов кампании и совместном шопинге с Цепкало и Тихановской |work = Nasha Niva |trans-title=Maria Kalesnikava on Advice of Alekseevich, Campaign Slogans and Shopping with Tsepkalo and Tikhanovskaya |date = 4 August 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> According to Tatiana, their parents were deeply fond of music. They inspired interest in it in their daughters and in a certain way influenced Maria's choice of profession.<ref name=bbc/><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.currenttime.tv/a/maria-kolesnikova-sister-interview/30831531.html |title = "Маша – крепкий орешек, и всегда была такой". Сестра Марии Колесниковой рассказывает о ее семье, характере и взглядах |work = Current Time TV |trans-title= "Maria is a Tough Nut, She Always Was": Tatiana Kalesnikava on Her Family, Character and Opinions |date = 10 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> Maria studied in a music school, then graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music as a flutist and conductor.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Soŭś|first=Hanna|date=4 August 2020|title=Марыя Калесьнікава пра мову, гвалт, шопінг утрох і парады Алексіевіч|url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/30764473.html|website=Радыё Свабода|language=be|access-date=8 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=office>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://officelife.media/article/colleagues-say/27133-kto-takaya-mariya-kolesnikova-fleytistka-art-direktor-glava-shtaba-babariko/ |title = Кто такая Мария Колесникова: флейтистка, арт-директор, глава штаба Бабарико |trans-title = Who is Maria Kalesnikava: Flutist, Art Director, Head of Babariko Campaign |publisher = Office Life |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 |archive-date = 7 October 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211007172041/https://officelife.media/article/colleagues-say/27133-kto-takaya-mariya-kolesnikova-fleytistka-art-direktor-glava-shtaba-babariko/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>
At the age of 17, Kalesnikava started teaching the flute at a private gymnasium school in Minsk. She also played the flute at the National Academic Concert Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus under the direction of Mikhail Finberg.<ref name=family/><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.mk.ru/politics/2020/09/05/fleytistka-v-roli-lidera-kak-kolesnikova-vozglavit-oppoziciyu-belorussii.html |title = Мария против Лукашенко: как флейтистка Колесникова возглавила оппозицию |trans-title= Maria vs Lukashenko: How Flutist Became Leader of Opposition |publisher = Moskovskij Komsomolets |date = 5 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> She played on tours across Italy, Poland, and Lithuania.<ref name=office/>
At the age of 25, she moved to Germany and enrolled to the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart. She got two master's degrees, one in Early Music, and another in Neue Musik in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maria Kalesnikava : TRIO vis-à-vis|url=https://triovisavis.com/maria-kalesnikava/|access-date=8 September 2020|website=triovisavis.com|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/nemeckaja-kollega-o-kolesnikovoj-politik-byl-v-nej-vsegda/a-58758597 |title = Немецкая коллега о Колесниковой: Политик был в ней всегда |trans-title=German Colleague about Kalesnikava: She Always Was a Politician |publisher =Deutsche Welle |date = 5 August 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name=office/>
In the 2010s, Kalesnikava performed at concerts and was actively involved in organizing international cultural projects in Belarus and Germany,<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://news.tut.by/society/693402.html |title=Музыкант и серфингист. Кто такая Мария Колесникова — представитель штаба Виктора Бабарико |trans-title=Musician and Surfer: Who is Maria Kalesnikava |website=Tut.By|date=20 July 2020|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721133659/https://news.tut.by/society/693402.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |language=ru|url=https://belaruspartisan.by/life/506694/ |title=Кто такая Мария Колесникова — представитель штаба Виктора Бабарико. Что о ней известно? |trans-title=Who Is Maria Kalesnikava — Representative of Babariko's Campaign. What Do We Know About Her? |website=Belarusian Partisan|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> for instance, she was one of the creators of 'Eclat' music festival.<ref name=dw>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/iskusstvo-iz-belarusi-na-festivale-v-germanii/a-56459272 |title = Испорченный паспорт из Беларуси – в немецком городе Марии Колесниковой |trans-title=Torn Belarusian Passport in Kalesnikava's German City |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 5 February 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> Her other projects included 'Music and the Holocaust', school programm 'Orchestra of Robots', and a series of lectures under the title "Music Lessons for Adults".<ref>{{cite news |language = ru |url = https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2021/09/06/noty-dlia-marii-kolesnikovoi |title = Ноты для Марии Колесниковой |work = Новая газета |publisher = Novaya Gazeta |trans-title = Printed Music for Kalesnikava |date = 6 September 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 |archive-date = 6 September 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210906193502/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2021/09/06/noty-dlia-marii-kolesnikovoi |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://dev.by/news/gismart-budet-obuchat-shkolnikov-programmirovat |title = Gismart будет обучать школьников программировать роботов-музыкантов |trans-title=Gismart Launches Educational Course for School: Students will Programm Robots-Musicians |publisher = Dev.by |date = 4 June 2019 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref>
In 2017, Maria participated in one of the first TEDxNiamiha conferences in Belarus.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-54184223 |title =Женщина в оркестре. Как Мария Колесникова стала лидером белорусского протеста |trans-title=Woman from Orchestra: How Maria Kalesnikava Became Leader of Belarusian Protests |publisher = BBC |date = 17 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> She took part in creation of the 'Artemp' art community that hosted contemporary art events.<ref name="Гульня ў класіку">{{Cite web|url=https://34mag.net/piarshak/post/kalesnikava/p/23|title=Гульня ў класіку – інтэрв'ю з Марыяй Калеснікавай|website=34mag.net|date=21 December 2017 }}</ref> In the same year, she became the art director of the 'OK16' culture centre in Minsk.<ref name=office/><ref name=bbc/>
==Political activity== {{main|2020 Belarusian presidential election|2020–2021 Belarusian protests}} [[File:«Давайте_снова_сделаем_выборы_праздником!»_Светлана_Тихановская_в_Бобруйске.webm|thumb|start=506|Kalesnikava campaigning for Tsikhanouskaya in Babruysk on 25 July 2020]]
In May 2020, Kalesnikava became the head of Viktar Babaryka's presidential campaign, who was Alexander Lukashenko's greatest independent competitor at the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. When Babaryka was refused registration and detained,<ref>{{cite web |author=Демидова, О. |language = ru |url = https://p.dw.com/p/3fI0T |title = ЦИК Беларуси не зарегистрировал Виктора Бабарико кандидатом в президенты |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 14 July 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.rbc.ru/politics/18/06/2020/5ee8c8419a79479b4899388f |title = В Минске задержан главный оппонент Лукашенко Что стало причиной и помешает ли это его участию в кампании |publisher = РБК |date = 18 June 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-57626501 |title = Бывший кандидат в президенты Беларуси Виктор Бабарико выступил в суде с последним словом |publisher = BBC |date = 28 June 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> on 16 July 2020, Kalesnikova and representatives of two other independent candidates' campaigns — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (wife of Sergei Tikhanovsky) and Veronika Tsepkalo (wife of Valery Tsepkalo) — announced the creation of a triple alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/07/17/86308-vremya-zhenschin |title=Время женщин |trans-title=Time for Women |website= Novaya Gazeta |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4418090|title=Белорусская оппозиция заключила тройственный союз |date=16 July 2020 |trans-title=Triple Alliance of Belarusian Opposition |publisher=Kommersant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2020/07/16/7259630/ |title=В Беларуси оппозиционные кандидаты объединились против Лукашенко |trans-title=Opposition Unites Against Lukashenko |website=Ukrainska Pravda|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> Tsikhanouskaya became their mutual candidate; she gained wide support across the country.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/%D0%BEbjedinenie-belorusskoj-opposizii-chto-bylo-god-nazad-i-chto-budet-dalshe/a-58289381 |title = Белорусское чудо – объединение штабов. Что было год назад и что будет дальше |trans-title=Belarusian Miracle: Triple Alliance of Opposition. What We Had Last Year and What Future Holds |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 16 July 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> When Lukashenko declared himself a winner with 80,1% of the votes,<ref>{{cite news |language = ru |url = https://iz.ru/1048871/2020-08-16/lukashenko-oproverg-falsifikatcii-na-vyborakh |title = Лукашенко опроверг фальсификации на выборах |work = Известия |trans-title=Lukashenko Denies Falsifications Accusations |publisher = Izvestiya |date = 16 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> the opposition refused to acknowledge the results and accused Lukashenko of massive falsifications.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://meduza.io/feature/2020/08/07/lyudi-ne-proglotyat-narisovannuyu-pobedu-lukashenko |title = "Люди не проглотят нарисованную победу Лукашенко" |trans-title=No One Believes He Won |publisher = Meduza |date = 7 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |language = ru |url = https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/articles/2020/09/16/840201-golosov-tihanovskaya |title = Сколько голосов могла в реальности набрать Светлана Тихановская |newspaper = Ведомости |trans-title=Estimate of Votes for Tsikhanouskaya |publisher =Vedomosti |date = 17 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> The USA, Great Britain, Canada and 8 EU countries refused to acknowledge the election's results as legitimate.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://p.dw.com/p/3iuzw |title = Госдепартамент США заявил о непризнании Лукашенко законным президентом |trans-title=US State Department Refuses to Acknowledge Lukashenko as Elected President |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 23 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> Street protests and meetings emerged across the country, demanding a repeat election and Lukashenko's dismissal,<ref>{{cite web|author=Kozenko, A.|date=9 August 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-58016427|title=Революция несбывшихся надежд |trans-title=Revolution of Failed Dreams |publisher=BBC Russia |access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> which were brutally put down by law enforcement.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4449229 |title = Протесты в Белоруссии после выборов президента |trans-title=Belarusian Protests After Presidential Elections |publisher =Kommersant |date = 10 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name="tut-8075">{{cite news |author=Perova, A. |url=https://news.tut.by/society/694730.html |title=Вы видели этого человека? Запускаем сервис для поиска пропавших после акций |trans-title=Did You See This Person? New Service to Find Missing People |language=ru |website=TUT.BY|access-date=29 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208161648/https://news.tut.by/society/694730.html|archive-date=8 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="kp-7442">{{cite web|author=Shumanskaya, O.|url=https://www.kp.ru/daily/217169.5/4271199/|title=Поисковый отряд: "Каждый день поступают сотни звонков о пропавших без вести. Раньше был один-два звонка в день"|trans-title=Search Volunteers: 'More than 100 calls about missing people, usually we have 1–2 per day'|language=ru|website=Komsomolskaya Pravda|date=17 August 2020|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>
Kalesnikava in her interviews always emphasized that she wasn't any kind of 'protest leader' and never took part in the meetings' organization. In that time the Belarusian opposition pursued the idea that all citizens were protest leaders and everyone was responsible for his country's future.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |author = Azar, I. |url = https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/08/23/86785-u-menya-ochen-lichnaya-tsel-osvobodit-blizkih |title = "Я каждое утро беру лопату и копаю" |trans-title = Every Morning I Get Up and Start Digging |publisher = Novaya Gazeta |date = 23 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 |archive-date = 7 October 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211007172503/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/08/23/86785-u-menya-ochen-lichnaya-tsel-osvobodit-blizkih |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.currenttime.tv/a/kolesnikova-about-new-party-babariko-and-tikhanovskaya/30815390.html |title = "Сцена большая, места хватит всем". Мария Колесникова – о том, будет ли она новым лидером протеста в Беларуси |trans-title= 'The Stage is Big, Everyone Can Get His Part'. Maria Kalesnikava Tells What She Thinks About Being Protests' Leader |publisher = Current Time TV |date = 1 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> She visited protest meetings as a private person; via mass media she asked both citizens and law enforcement to preserve peace.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/08/11/86611-protesty-v-belarusi-den-tretiy-online |title = Протесты в Беларуси, дни 3—5 |trans-title = Protests in Belarus, days 3–5 |publisher = Novaya Gazeta |date = 11 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 |archive-date = 19 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200819015534/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2020/08/11/86611-protesty-v-belarusi-den-tretiy-online |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.interfax.ru/world/722871 |title = Колесникова призвала белорусов сохранять мирный характер протестов |trans-title=Kalesnikava Asks People to Preserve Peace |publisher = Interfax |date = 22 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://iz.ru/1048891/2020-08-16/soratnitca-tikhanovskoi-mariia-kolesnikova-priekhala-na-miting-oppozitcii-v-minske |title=Соратница Тихановской Мария Колесникова приехала на митинг оппозиции в Минске |trans-title=Tikhanovskaya's Supporter Maria Kalesnikava Joins Opposition Meeting in Minsk |author=Shuvaev, E.|website=Izvestiya|date=16 August 2020|publisher=|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref>
On 18 August 2020, Kalesnikava joined the 7-member presidium of Coordination Council.<ref>{{Cite news|title=В основной состав Координационного совета белорусской оппозиции вошли 70 человек|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9231073|access-date=27 October 2021|newspaper=Tacc}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kp.ru/daily/217170/4272458/ |title=Прошла первая пресс-конференция Координационного совета: "Светлана Тихановская планирует вернуться в Беларусь" |trans-title=Coordination Council to Give First Press-Conference: 'Tikhanovskaya Plans to Come Back to Belarus' |author=Dobysh, A. |website=Komsomolskaya Pravda|date=18 August 2020|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> On 19 August, she was selected as one of the main board members.<ref>{{Cite web |language=ru |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/19/08/2020/5f3c1cd99a7947fd5022d9fa |title=Мария Колесникова — РБК: "Белорусы ощутили силу самим разобраться" |date=19 August 2020 |trans-title=Kalesnikava — 'Belarusians Feel They Can Handle It' |publisher=RBC |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9238379 |title=Оппозиция Белоруссии избрала президиум Координационного совета |trans-title=Belarusian Opposition Selects Coordination Council Main Board |publisher=TASS |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |language=ru |url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/19/08/2020/5f3d228a9a79476a3f772e59 |title=В президиум белорусской оппозиции вошли нобелевский лауреат и экс-министр |date=19 August 2020 |trans-title=Ex-Minister and Nobel Prize Winner to Join Coordination Council Main Board |publisher=RBC |access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>
By mid-August Tsikhanouskaya and Tsepkalo were forced by authorities to leave the country.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.interfax.ru/world/721231 |title = Представитель Тихановской заявила, что ее вывезли из страны власти Белоруссии |trans-title=Tikhanovskaya's Representative Claims She Was Forced to Leave by Authorities |publisher = Interfax |date = 11 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.rbc.ru/photoreport/09/08/2021/610a78119a7947cd72110193 |title = Год с начала протестов в Белоруссии. Что стало с противниками Лукашенко |trans-title=Year Since Protests: What Happened to Lukashenko's Opponents? |publisher =RBC |date = 9 August 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> Meanwhile, Kalesnikava stated to the media that she by no means would leave Belarus because she felt it was deeply personal not to flee while her colleagues and friends were jailed under unlawful charges.<ref name=bbc/><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.forbes.ru/forbes-woman/407165-eto-budet-poslednyaya-oshibka-lukashenko-mariya-kolesnikova-o-novyh-celyah |title = "Это будет последняя ошибка Лукашенко": Мария Колесникова о новых целях оппозиции, переговорах с бизнесом и тревожном звонке в Москву |trans-title=That Would Be His Last Mistake: Kalesnikava Explains Opposition's New Goals, Negotiations and Lukashenko's Anxious Call to Moscow |work = Forbes |date = 16 August 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref>
On 31 August 2020, Kalesnikova announced the start of a new political party, Razam, that she intended to make a democratic tool to protect human rights in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|language=ru|url=https://iz.ru/1055109/2020-08-31/belorusskaia-oppozitciia-obiavila-o-sozdanii-partii-vmeste |title=Белорусская оппозиция объявила о создании партии "Вместе" |trans-title=Belarusian Opposition Launches New Party Named 'Razam' |author=Shuvaev, E. |website=Izvestiya |date=31 August 2020|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9335965 |title=Белорусская оппозиция объявила о создании политической партии |trans-title=Belarusian Opposition Announced New Political Party |publisher=TASS|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>
==Arrest and repressions== On 7 September 2020, Belarusian media published the news that Kalesnikava was kidnapped in the center of Minsk. Her friends and colleagues could not reach her by phone. Later, witnesses stated that a woman was forcibly put into a black minivan by some unknown men in civilian clothes with covered faces.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://www.rbc.ru/politics/07/09/2020/5f55ed1f9a7947328be2a173 |title = СМИ сообщили о похищении в Белоруссии Колесниковой |publisher = RBC |trans-title=Kalesnikava Kidnapped in Belarus |date = 7 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> In the morning of 8 September 2020, the news was published that the authorities tried to deport Maria against her will, she was taken to the Alexandrovka border crossing with Ukraine. Later, Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko wrote on his Facebook page, "This was not a voluntary departure. This was a forced deportation from her native country".<ref name=meduza/> The State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus reported that at 4 a.m. she left Belarus together with Ivan Kravtsov and Anton Rodnenkov passed the border control and headed towards Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2020/09/08/164149-pogrankomitet-belarusi-zayavil-o-peresechenii-granitsy-s-ukrainoy-chlenami-ks-kolesnikovoy-kravtsovym-i-rodnenkovym|title=Погранкомитет Беларуси заявил о пересечении границы с Украиной членами КС Кравцовым и Родненковым. Колесникову задержали|trans-title=State Border Committee Reports that Kolesnikova, Rodnenkov, and Kravtsov Crossed Border|website=Novaya Gazeta|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019230238/https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2020/09/08/164149-pogrankomitet-belarusi-zayavil-o-peresechenii-granitsy-s-ukrainoy-chlenami-ks-kolesnikovoy-kravtsovym-i-rodnenkovym|url-status=dead}}</ref> State-controlled TV-channels put around the story that Kalesnikava was detained at the border cross when trying to leave the country and move to her sister in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.belnovosti.by/proisshestviya/kolesnikova-obratilas-v-sk-po-faktu-pohishcheniya-i-ugroz |title = Колесникова обратилась в СК по факту похищения и угроз |trans-title=Kalesnikava Complaints on Abduction and Threats to the Investigating Committee |publisher = BelNovosti |date = 10 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> In fact, as confirmed by the witnesses Rodnenkov and Kravtsov, in the neutral zone Kalesnikava managed to escape through the rear window of the car where she was kept, tore her passport to pieces, then headed back to Belarusian border.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://www.dw.com/ru/za-chto-budut-sudit-mariju-kolesnikovu/a-58731770 |title =Та, которую не смогли запугать. За что судят Марию Колесникову? |trans-title=The One They Couldn't Scare. Why Is Maria Kalesnikava Facing Charges? |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/686131.html |title = Колесникова при попытке насильственного вывоза из Беларуси порвала свой паспорт – источник |trans-title=Source Claims Kalesnikava Tore Her Passport to Avoid Deportation |publisher = Interfax Ukraine |date = 8 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.currenttime.tv/a/kolesnikova-on-the-border-interview/30827863.html |title = "Через другое окно она выбралась и пошла в сторону белорусской границы". Как Мария Колесникова не дала вывезти себя из страны |trans-title= 'She Escaped through Window and Headed Back to Belarus'. How Maria Kalesnikava Didn't Let Herself Be Deported |publisher = Current Time TV |date = 8 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-54068283 |title = "Она выкинула паспорт за окно". Что происходило с Марией Колесниковой на границе с Украиной |trans-title= 'She Threw Away Her Passport'. What Really Happened to Maria Kalesnikava at Ukraine Border |publisher = BBC |date = 8 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> There she was immediately arrested.<ref name=meduza>{{Cite web|language=ru |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2020/09/08/mariyu-kolesnikovu-zaderzhali-na-granitse-s-ukrainoy-cherez-sutki-posle-togo-kak-ona-propala-v-minske-glavnoe |title=Марию Колесникову задержали на границе с Украиной |trans-title=Maria Kalesnikava Arrested at Ukraine Border |date=8 September 2020 |publisher=Meduza}}</ref> Following these news, Bundestag vice-chairman Claudia Roth promised to patronage Kalesnikava and help her via Libereco organization.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://p.dw.com/p/3iAB2 |title = Известный немецкий политик готова взять "шефство" над Колесниковой в случае ее заключения |trans-title=German Politician Ready to Patronage Kalesnikava in Case of Detainment |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 8 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref>
On 9 September 2020, Kalesnikava's colleague in Coordination Council, lawyer Maxim Znak was also arrested.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-58058876 |title = Белорусский юрист и оппозиционер Максим Знак в письме Би-би-си: думаю о суде, а не о тюремном заключении |trans-title=Belarusian Lawyer and Oppositionist Maxim Znak Writes to BBC: 'I think about court hearings, not about detainment' |publisher = BBC |date = 8 August 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> On the same day, Kalesnikava's father, Aliaksandar Kalesnikau, was notified by the police that she had been jailed at a detention centre in Minsk.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 September 2020|title=Police in Belarus jail Maria Kolesnikova, the last opposition leader who was still free and in the country|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2020/09/09/police-in-belarus-jail-maria-kolesnikova-the-last-opposition-leader-who-was-still-free-and-in-the-country|work=Meduza|language=en|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2020|title=Belarusian opposition member Kolesnikova arrested in Minsk|url=https://tass.com/world/1198989|publisher=TASS|location=Minsk|publication-place=Moscow|language=en|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.rbc.ru/politics/09/09/2020/5f58a8b59a79475801fee826 |title = Отец назвал местонахождение Колесниковой |trans-title=Kalesnikava's Father Says She Is Jailed |publisher = RBC |date = 9 September 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/699879.html |title=Колесникова — подозреваемая по уголовному делу о "захвате власти" |trans-title=Kalesnikava Faces Criminal Charges |website=Tut.By|date=9 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910143506/https://news.tut.by/economics/699879.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> Through her lawyers, Maria appealed to the State Investigative Committee with the complaint that KGB and GUBOPiK officers threatened to kill her, they put a sack on her head and promised 'to deport her whether in one piece or in many pieces'.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://www.fontanka.ru/2020/09/10/69462523/ |title = "Меня все равно вывезут: живой или по частям". Колесникова рассказала о поступающих ей угрозах и попытке выдворения из страны |trans-title= 'They Threatened to Deport Me in Pieces'. Kalesnikava Tells How She Was Threatened |publisher = Fontanka |date = 10 September 2020 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name=interfax/> Deputy Head of Department of Home Affairs Gennadiy Kazakevich personally told Kalesnikava that She will be in prison without teeth for 25 years to sew clothes for the security forces.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.msn.com/ru-ru/news/other/%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%83%D1%8E-%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%87%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%B1%D1%83%D0%B4%D1%83%D1%82-%D1%81%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8E-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%83/ar-AAMUtsq |title =Та, которую не смогли запугать. За что судят Марию Колесникову? |trans-title=The One Whom They Couldn't Scare. Why Is Maria Kalesnikava in Jail? |publisher = MSN |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref>
On 10 September 2020, twelve organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Centre, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Belarusian PEN Center, released a joint statement naming Kalesnikava as a political prisoner.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2021|title=Патрабуем неадкладнага вызвалення Марыі Калеснікавай, Максіма Знака і Іллі Салея|url=http://spring96.org/be/news/99456|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010081827/https://spring96.org/be/news/99456|archive-date=10 October 2021|access-date=10 October 2021|website=|publisher=Viasna|language=be}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2020|title=Калеснікава, Знак і Салей прызнаныя палітвязнямі|url=https://www.racyja.com/palityka/kalesnikava-znak-i-salej-pryznanyya-pa/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010082023/https://www.racyja.com/palityka/kalesnikava-znak-i-salej-pryznanyya-pa/|archive-date=10 October 2021|access-date=10 October 2021|website=|publisher=Радіо «Рація»|language=be}}</ref> On 11 September 2020, Amnesty International recognized Kalesnikava as a prisoner of conscience.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2020/09/11/kak-v-belarusi-arestovali-ili-vyslali-vseh-chlenov-oppoziczionnogo-koordinaczionnogo-soveta-za-isklyucheniem-odnogo-zayavlenie-amnesty-international/|title=Заявление. Беларусь: "Похищают лучших из нас". Произвольные аресты и принудительные высылки из страны ведущих оппозиционеров|date=11 September 2021|publisher=Amnesty International|accessdate=20 September 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125143113/https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2020/09/11/kak-v-belarusi-arestovali-ili-vyslali-vseh-chlenov-oppoziczionnogo-koordinaczionnogo-soveta-za-isklyucheniem-odnogo-zayavlenie-amnesty-international/|archivedate=25 November 2020}}</ref>
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, the Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Belarus, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security.<ref name=tme>{{cite web|url=https://t.me/mkbelarus/9106|title=МАЯ КРАІНА БЕЛАРУСЬ|date=20 August 2020|website=Telegram|language=ru|access-date=8 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Irfan|first=Muhammad|date=20 August 2020|url=https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/belarus-opens-criminal-probe-against-oppositi-1006745.html|title=Belarus Opens Criminal Probe Against Oppositions Coordination Council- Prosecutor General|website=UrduPoint|access-date=8 September 2020}}</ref>
On 12 September, Kalesnikava was transferred from Minsk to prison No. 8 in Zhodino.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2020/09/12/839681-mariyu-kolesnikovu-pereveli-iz-minskogo-sizo-v-zhodino|title=Марию Колесникову перевели из минского СИЗО в Жодино|date=12 September 2020|work=Vedomosti|access-date=14 September 2020}}</ref> On 16 September, the Investigative Committee of Belarus charged Kalesnikava with "actions aimed at undermining Belarusian national security" using the media and the Internet.<ref name="dtic">{{cite news |last1=Vasilyeva |first1=Nataliya |last2=Crisp |first2=James |date=17 September 2020 |title=Belarus protest leader Maria Kolesnikova charged with incitement to undermine national security |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/17/belarus-protest-leader-maria-kolesnikova-charged-incitement/ |work=The Telegraph |access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref>
On 10 October 2020, Kalesnikava's attorney Aliaksandar Pylchanka announced that Lukashenko requested a meeting with her to discuss changes to the Constitution, to which she refused in an expression of solidarity with other imprisoned dissidents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Мария Колесникова отказалась участвовать во встрече с Лукашенко|date=13 October 2020|url=https://www.interfax.ru/world/731287|publisher=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=15 October 2020}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, the press office of the Babaryka campaign announced that investigators had extended Kalesnikava's detention until 8 January 2021.<ref>{{cite news|title=Belarus Extends Pretrial Detention Of Opposition Figure Kalesnikava|date=6 November 2020|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-extends-pretrial-detention-of-opposition-figure-kalesnikava/30934213.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
On 6 January 2021, the Coordination Council announced that investigators had extended Kalesnikava's pre-trial detention until 8 March.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 January 2021|title=Belarus Extends Pretrial Detention Of Opposition Figure Kalesnikava|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-extends-kalesnikava-detention-kalesnikava/31036653.html|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ocmYzw2X0U&feature=youtu.be|title=Лукашенко оставил Колесникову под арестом: близкие о ее судьбе|date=9 January 2021|author=Deutsche Welle|via=YouTube|language=ru|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> She was transferred back to Minsk.<ref>{{Cite news|language=ru|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/714417.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111172654/https://news.tut.by/economics/714417.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2021|title=Колесникову перевели из Жодино в СИЗО в Минске |trans-title=Kalesnikava Transferred Back to Minsk |website=Tut.By|date=11 January 2021|access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref> In the end of the month, on 27 January, the Investigative Committee refused to open a criminal case against law enforcement officers who threatened to kill her.<ref name=interfax>{{cite news |language = ru |url = https://www.interfax.ru/world/749057 |title = Белорусской оппозиционерке Колесниковой отказали в возбуждении дела о похищении |trans-title=Kalesnikova Cannot Sue Policemen Who Kidnapped Her |publisher = Interfax |date = 2 February 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref>
On 12 February, Kalesnikava and Maxim Znak were charged with "conspiracy to seize state power in an unconstitutional manner" and "establishing and leading an extremist organization".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/v-belarusi-predjavleny-novye-obvinenija-marii-kolesnikovoj-i-maksimu-znaku/a-56544006|title=В Беларуси предъявлены новые обвинения Марии Колесниковой и Максиму Знаку|last=Mylnikov|first=Pavel|date=12 February 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=ru|trans-title=New charges brought against Maria Kolesnikova and Maxim Znak in Belarus|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> Her attorney Liudmila Kazak was stripped of her license to practice law on 19 February by the Belarus Ministry of Justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/721700.html|title=Мария Колесникова остается в СИЗО до 8 мая|last=Tolkacheva|first=Elena|date=9 March 2021|website=Tut.By|language=ru|trans-title=Maria Kolesnikova remains in jail until 8 May|access-date=5 March 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418190753/https://news.tut.by/economics/721700.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 March 2021, Viktar Babaryka's social media reported that Kalesnikava's pre-trial detention had been extended through 8 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/721689.html|title=Максим Знак остается в СИЗО до 9 мая|last=Tolkacheva|first=Elena|date=9 March 2021|website=Tut.By|language=ru|trans-title=Maxim Znak remains in jail until 9 May|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418190751/https://news.tut.by/economics/721689.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her attorney Illia Salei is under house arrest through 16 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/721102.html|title="Продление незаконно". Адвокат Колесниковой Илья Салей остается под домашним арестом до апреля|date=3 March 2021|website=Tut.By|language=ru|trans-title="Renewal is illegal." Kolesnikova's lawyer Ilya Salei remains under house arrest until April|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418190751/https://news.tut.by/economics/721102.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Final charges in May 2021 included three articles of the State Criminal Code.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/11364341 |title = Члену совета белорусской оппозиции Колесниковой предъявили окончательное обвинение |trans-title=Coordination Council Oppositionist Kalesnikava Receives Final Charges |publisher = TASS |date = 13 May 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=ru-RU|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/v-belarusi-oppozicionerke-marii-kolesnikovoj-predjavleny-obvinenija/a-57520833 |title=В Беларуси оппозиционерке Марии Колесниковой предъявлены обвинения |trans-title=Maria Kalesnikava Faces Criminal Charges |author=Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com)|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://prokuratura.gov.by/ru/media/novosti/nadzor-za-resheniyami-po-ugolovnym-i-grazhdanskim-delam/genprokuratura-v-sud-napravleno-ugolovnoe-delo-v-otnoshenii-marii-kolesnikovoy-i-maksima-znaka/ |title = Генпрокуратура: в суд направлено уголовное дело в отношении Марии Колесниковой и Максима Знака |trans-title=Belarus General Prosecutor Office Sends Kalesnikava's Case in Court |publisher = Belarus General Prosecutor Office |date = 25 June 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> The defence refused all accusations and demanded to drop all charges due to absence of the event of a crime.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/v-belarusi-delo-oppozicionerov-kolesnikovoj-i-znaka-postupilo-v-sud/a-58160778 |title = В Беларуси дело оппозиционеров Колесниковой и Знака поступило в суд |trans-title=Kalesnikava and Znak Cases Sent to Court |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 5 July 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> The investigation and the trial were held behind closed doors, the accused were prohibited to study the case files.<ref>{{cite news |language = ru |url = https://www.interfax.ru/world/773864 |title = Белорусские оппозиционеры Колесникова и Знак предстанут перед судом |trans-title=Belarusian Oppositionists Kalesnikava and Znak Stand Trial |publisher = Interfax |date = 25 June 2020 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name=currenttime/>
For a year, in detention, Kalesnikava was denied visitors and couldn't meet her father.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-58058875 |title = "Я готова к любому приговору". В Минске начался суд над Марией Колесниковой, ей грозит до 12 лет |trans-title= 'I'm Ready to Anything'. Kalesnikava Stands Trial in Minsk |publisher = BBC |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref> According to Tatiana Kalesnikava, Maria wrote more than 150 letters per month while jailed, while no more than 20 were received by the addressees. The correspondences sent to her were heavily censored, as Kalesnikava received no more than 5% of letters written to her. She also was prohibited from getting a flute. A year without practice could forever ruin her mastery as a musician.<ref name=currenttime>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.currenttime.tv/a/pisma-kolesnikovoj/31340665.html |title = "Мне можно присылать ноты – они так классно звучат в голове". О чем пишет Мария Колесникова из минского СИЗО |trans-title= 'You Can Send Me Printed Music'. Kalesnikava's Letters From Jail |publisher =Current Time TV |date = 5 July 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref>
=== Sentence === Starting 4 August 2021, after almost 11 months in custody, Kalesnikava and Maxim Znak stood trial behind closed doors in the Minsk Regional Court. The prosecutor demanded 12 years in prison for both of them. Maria pleaded not guilty and called any charges against herself and Znak 'absurd'. Throughout the investigation and trial, the details of the charges were not publicly disclosed. The attorneys of Kalesnikava and Znak were under a nondisclosure agreement.<ref>{{cite web |language = en |url = https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/08/04/tearing-up-my-passport-was-the-right-decision |title = 'Tearing up my passport was the right decision' Belarusian oppositionist Maria Kolesnikova talks to Dozhd ahead of trial in Minsk |publisher = Meduza |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 25 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = en |url = https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/08/04/belarus-protest-leader-kolesnikova-goes-on-trial-a74693 |title = Belarus Protest Leader Kolesnikova Goes on Trial |publisher = The Moscow Times |date = 4 August 2021 |access-date = 25 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = en |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58114107 |title = Belarus crackdown fails to crush opposition spirit |publisher = BBC |date = 7 August 2021 |access-date = 25 August 2021 }}</ref> Though the authorities promised to make the proceedings public, in fact the courtroom was filled with strangers; foreign ambassadors who wanted to support Kalesnikava and Znak weren't allowed inside.<ref name=kommers>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4976127 |title = У Александра Лукашенко длинные сроки |trans-title= Hard Sentences by Lukashenko |publisher = Kommersant |date = 7 September 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref>
On 6 September 2021, Kalesnikava was sentenced to 11 years in prison.<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 September 2021|title=Belarus protest leader Kolesnikova jailed for 11 years|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2021/0906/1244933-belarus/|language=en|publisher=RTÉ}}</ref> She is serving her sentence in penal colony no. 4 ({{langx|ru|link=no|ИК №4}}) in Gomel.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://theins.ru/en/news/257570|title="She's alive, she's lost weight and doesn't yet have much strength": Maria Kalesnikava's father visits her in prison|website=The Insider|date=5 December 2022|access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref> Both she and Znak refused to request pardons because they believed they were innocent. They planned to appeal to a higher court.<ref>{{Cite web|language=ru|url=https://euroradio.fm/ru/prigovor-maksimu-i-mashe-kogda-deti-budut-svobodny-poklonyus-tem-kto-podderzhal|title=Приговор Максиму и Маше: когда дети будут свободны, поклонюсь тем, кто поддержал |trans-title=Sentence to Misha and Masha: When They're Free, I'll Deeply Thank All Who Supported us |website=European Radio for Belarus|date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>
In a written interview, Kalesnikava told the media that in jail she was offered many times to make a 'Protasevich-like' film recording with confessions and to admit guilt for her actions.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://tvrain.tv/news/marija_kolesnikova_rasskazala_o_popytkah_sklonit_ee_k_intervju_na_goskanale_a_lja_protasevich-535223/ |title = Мария Колесникова рассказала о попытках склонить ее к интервью на госканале "а-ля Протасевич" |trans-title=Maria Kalesnikava Says She Was Offered to Make Movie Like Protasevich |publisher = TV Rain |date = 3 August 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> In her first interview after the sentence, given by phone to BBC journalist Sara Rainsford, Kolesnikova complained that in prison 'everyone smokes everywhere', and the prolonged passive smoke will forever ruin her chances to come back as a professional flutist. However, she says she regrets nothing and believes that the protests of 2020 were the beginning of a new era in the country.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.the-village.me/village/city/city-interview/290215-kolesnikova-view-after-verdict |title = "Весь год они делали все, чтобы я пожалела": Колесникова дала первое интервью после приговора |trans-title = 'They Try Hard to Make Me Regret Staying': Kalesnikava's First Interview After 11 Year Sentence |publisher = The Village Belarus |date = 30 September 2021 |access-date = 18 October 2021 |archive-date = 30 September 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210930080821/https://www.the-village.me/village/city/city-interview/290215-kolesnikova-view-after-verdict |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Rainford, S. |language = ru |url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-58721504 |title =Мария Колесникова: "Тюрьма – это отвратительное место, но здесь я особенно чувствую себя свободной" |trans-title= Maria Kalesnikava: 'Prison Is Disgusting, But I Fell Especially Free Here' |publisher = BBC Russia |date = 30 September 2021 |access-date = 18 October 2021 }}</ref> According to Kalesnikava, triumph of democracy in Belarus is only a matter of time.<ref>{{cite web |author=Александровская, Б. |language = ru |url = https://p.dw.com/p/43i69 |title =Мария Колесникова из СИЗО: Режим выбрал для Беларуси путь в никуда |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 2 December 2021 |accessdate = 7 December 2021 }}</ref>
On 29 November 2022, Kalesnikava was hospitalized in critical condition. As stated by Babaryka's press service, she was put in a punitive isolation cell no later than 22 November.<ref name="Meduza 2022 t957">{{cite web | title='Critical but stable' Jailed Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is in the ICU. Here's what we know. | website=Meduza | date=1 December 2022 | url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/12/01/in-critical-but-stable-condition | access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> In Homel hospital she was diagnosed with perforated ulcer and had urgent surgery. As mentioned by Maria's sister, she never had any problems with GI tract before prison. In the isolation cell she was denied visits by her lawyer, had fainting spells and hypertension. Only in hospital was she allowed a 10-minute visit from her father, with three law enforcement officers present.<ref name=lrtlt>{{cite web |author=Valkauskas, T. |language = ru |url = https://www.lrt.lt/ru/novosti/17/1842200/ne-mogla-spat-i-teriala-soznanie-cestra-kolesnikovoi-rasskazala-o-zdorov-e-usloviiakh-soderzhaniia-i-pis-makh-marii |title ="Не могла спать и теряла сознание". Cестра Колесниковой рассказала о здоровье, условиях содержания и письмах Марии |trans-title= 'She couldn't sleep and fainted': Kalesnikava's sister on prison conditions, health and letters from Maria |publisher = Lithuanian National Radio and Television |date = 12 December 2022 |accessdate = 30 December 2022}}</ref> On 9 December 2022, one of Kalesnikava's lawyers Uladzimir Pylchanka was disbarred.<ref name=lrtlt/>
For a long period she had been last heard from on 12 February 2023.<ref name="Letter">[https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2024/02/13/bez-prava-perepiski Без права переписки], novayagazeta.eu, 13 February 2024</ref> In August 2023, after no news about Kalesnikava for six months, 13 cultural figures wrote an open letter to Lukashenko demanding information with no answer.<ref name="Letter"/> On 17 December 2023, the Lev Kopelev Forum held a discussion in Cologne in support of Kalesnikava. The event was attended by former German Interior Minister Gerhart Baum, Kolesnikova's sister Tatsiana Khomich and former lawyer Lyudmila Kazak.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://p.dw.com/p/4aGbE | title =Нужно спасать людей: в ФРГ говорили о политзаключенных РБ | language =ru | trans-title =We need to save them: the FRG spoke about political prisoners in Belarus | date =17 December 2023 | publisher =Deutsche Welle | access-date =12 March 2024}}</ref> She was heard from again after her father was allowed to visit her in prison on 12 November 2024.<ref name="bbcvisit">{{cite web |date=12 November 2024 |title=First sighting of Belarusian political prisoner in more than 600 days |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg792d6yp4o |accessdate=16 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Conditions of imprisonment === Kept in solitary confinement, she was reportedly subjected to inhumane conditions: deprivation of adequate food, lack of medical care and the destruction of letters from her loved ones in front of her. Her weight was said to have dropped to 45 kg.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Didelot |first=Nelly |title=Bélarus : l’inquiétude grandit pour la prisonnière politique Maria Kalesnikava, figure de l’opposition à Loukachenko |url=https://www.liberation.fr/international/europe/belarus-linquietude-grandit-pour-la-prisonniere-politique-maria-kalesnikava-figure-de-lopposition-a-loukachenko-20240904_BAZ5IRZF7JAYNAEH3XEDYBQK6Y/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Libération |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2024 |title=En Biélorussie, Maria Kalesnikava victime de la machine à broyer les opposants |url=https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/repression-en-bielorussie-maria-kalesnikava-victime-de-la-machine-a-broyer-les-opposants_224280 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Courrier International |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevelyan |first=Mark |date=13 September 2024 |title=Sister of Belarus protest leader Maria Kalesnikava says she's starving in prison |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sister-belarus-protest-leader-maria-kalesnikava-says-shes-starving-prison-2024-09-13/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2024 |title=Imprisoned Belarus activist Maria Kolesnikova is considering asking for a pardon, her father says |url=https://apnews.com/article/belarus-crackdown-opposition-kolesnikova-lukashenko-prison-37b2b02c38785245cfc6025371ac2387 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2024 |title=What is happening to Belarusian political prisoner Maria Kalesnikava? |url=https://www.euronews.com/2024/09/06/starved-and-excommunicated-what-is-happening-to-belarusian-political-prisoner-maria-kalesn |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Euronews |language=en}}</ref>
=== Reactions to Kalesnikava arrest ===
Human rights activists and international community condemn Kalesnikava's sentence, the case is unanimously considered to be fabricated.<ref>{{cite web |author=Khalip, Iryna|author-link=Iryna Khalip |language = ru |url = https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2021/09/05/nezabytaia-melodiia-dlia-fleity |title = Незабытая мелодия для флейты |trans-title=Flute Melody that Won't Be Forgotten |publisher = Novaya Gazeta |date = 6 September 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url =https://ria.ru/20210514/kolesnikova-1732232754.html |title = Госдеп назвал обвинения против Колесниковой в Белоруссии возмутительными |trans-title= USA Condemns Charges Against Kalesnikava |publisher = RIA Novosti |date = 14 May 2021 |access-date = 13 September 2021 }}</ref> The sentence is repressive and made as Lukashenko's political revenge.<ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/trebuem-osvobozhdenija-reakcija-es-i-frg-na-prigovory-kolesnikovoj-i-znaku/a-59100562 |title = Требуем освобождения! Реакция ЕС и ФРГ на приговоры Колесниковой и Знаку |trans-title= We Demand Her Release! Kalesnikava's Sentence Condemned by US and Germany |publisher =Deutsche Welle |date = 6 September 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language = ru |url = https://www.dw.com/ru/reakcija-zapada-na-prigovory-kolesnikovoj-i-znaku/av-59112524 |title =Реакция Запада на приговоры Колесниковой и Знаку: Это олицетворяет жестокость режима |trans-title=West Calls Kalesnikava and Znak Sentences Repressive |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 7 September 2021 |access-date = 12 September 2021 }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|EU}} The European Commission condemned the 7 September arrest, describing it as unacceptable.<ref name="abduction1">{{cite news |title=Germany seeks answers over Belarus opposition figure 'kidnap' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/germany-seeks-answers-over-belarus-opposition-figure-kidnap-13089020 |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Channel News Asia |agency=AFP |date=7 September 2020 |archive-date=7 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907200550/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/germany-seeks-answers-over-belarus-opposition-figure-kidnap-13089020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *{{flagicon|Germany}} Germany demanded clarity on Kalesnikava's whereabouts and called for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davlashyan|first=Naira|date=7 September 2020|title=Belarus: Germany demands answers on 'kidnapped' dissident Kolesnikova|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/07/belarusian-opposition-figure-maria-kolesnikova-missing-after-bystander-reports-abduction|access-date=7 September 2020|website=Euronews|language=en}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Lithuania}} Lithuania called Kalesnikava's abduction a disgrace, comparing it to something that Stalin-era secret police would have done, and demanded her immediate release.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |last2=Vasilyeva |first2=Maria |title=Belarusian protest leader disappears after being detained by masked men |url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/belarusian-protest-leader-disappears-after-being-detained-by-masked-men-39512194.html |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Irish Independent |date=7 September 2020}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Poland}} Poland denounced Kalesnikava's abduction as contemptible and called on immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 September 2020|title="Działania poniżej jakichkolwiek standardów". Wiceminister spraw zagranicznych o porwaniu Kalesnikawej|url=https://www.polskieradio24.pl/5/1223/Artykul/2577955,Dzialania-ponizej-jakichkolwiek-standardow-Wiceminister-spraw-zagranicznych-o-porwaniu-Kolesnikowej|url-status=dead|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008175129/https://www.polskieradio24.pl/5/1223/Artykul/2577955,Dzialania-ponizej-jakichkolwiek-standardow-Wiceminister-spraw-zagranicznych-o-porwaniu-Kolesnikowej|archive-date=8 October 2020|access-date=8 September 2020|publisher=Polskie Radio 24}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|last=Przydacz|first=Marcin|authorlink=Marcin Przydacz|user=marcin_przydacz|number=1302940527407632389|date=7 September 2020|title=The kidnapping of M. Kalesnikava is unacceptable. Treating opposition leaders in such an unlawful & contemptible manner is below any standards. We expect that all political prisoners in #Belarus are promptly released from custody. Dialogue is the solution, not force!|language=en|access-date=8 September 2020|archive-date}}</ref> *{{flagicon|UK}} The United Kingdom expressed serious concern for Kalesnikava's welfare and said that her release must be given the highest priority.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sky News |title=Belarus protests: UK says release of 'abducted' Maria Kolesnikova must be 'highest priority' |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/belarus-protests-uk-says-release-132200948.html |access-date=7 September 2020 |publisher=Yahoo! News UK |date=7 September 2020|author1-link=Sky News }}</ref> *{{flagicon|USA}} The United States expressed concern about the attempt to expel Kalesnikava by the Belarusian authorities.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2020|title=US Considering Sanctions Against Belarus After 'Unjustified Violence and Repression' Pompeo Says|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_us-considering-sanctions-against-belarus-after-unjustified-violence-and-repression-pompeo/6195650.html|publisher=Voice of America|language=en|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> * Amnesty International recognized Kalesnikava as a prisoner of conscience and demanded her immediate release.<ref>{{cite news |title=BELARUS: FREE OPPOSITION LEADER MARYIA KALESNIKAVA |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur49/3106/2020/en/ |access-date=30 September 2020 |work=Amnesty International |date=23 September 2020}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Kosovo}} Kosovo's speaker of the Assembly, Vjosa Osmani, along with 9 other members of the parliament, signed a letter demanding the immediate release of Kalesnikava.<ref>{{cite tweet|last=Osmani|first=Vjosa|authorlink=Vjosa Osmani|user=VjosaOsmaniMP|number=1312706499131641861|date=4 October 2020|title=Together with 9 other Kosovo MP colleagues, we joined Members of U.S. Congress @WilliamKeating, @Marcy_Kaptur and more than 300 transatlantic legislators from 30+ countries, in signing a letter to the illegitimate President of Belarus, #Lukashenko...|language=en|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|last=Osmani|first=Vjosa|authorlink=Vjosa Osmani|user=VjosaOsmaniMP|number=1312706501836972032|date=4 October 2020|title=...demanding the immediate release of opposition leader Marya Kalesnikava and all other political prisoners. #Kosovo stands with the people of Belarus and supports efforts against human rights offenders in Belarus. @HouseForeign @EP_President|language=en|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date}}</ref>
=== Release === On 13 December 2025, Kalesnikava was handed over to Ukraine along with 123 other prisoners, according to Kyiv's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as part of a deal between the Lukashenko regime and the United States. In a statement on Telegram, Ukrainian authorities said that, after receiving necessary medical assistance, the released prisoners would be transported to Poland and Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpwlkklyxo |title=Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions |publisher=BBC News |date=13 December 2025 }}</ref> Soon after, Kalesnikava arrived in Germany at the invitation of the German authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/kolesnikova-i-babariko-pribyli-v-germaniu-ih-vstretil-glava-mid-frg-vadeful/a-75249564|title=Глава МИД ФРГ встретил Колесникову и Бабарико в Берлине|website=Deutsche Welle|author=Ася Локина|language=ru}}</ref> She was scheduled to play her flute in concert in Berlin in April 2026.<ref name="c458">{{cite web |last=Hopkins |first=Valerie |date=2026-03-20 |title=Lukashenko Jailed Her in Belarus, but She Wants the World to Talk to Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/world/europe/maria-kalesnikava-lukashenko-belarus.html |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
While critics disparaged the deal that freed Kalesnikava as "potash for prisoners", she argued that easing sanctions on Belarus's chief export was a small price to pay for freeing activists like herself, in order to help the people of Belarus and the overall position of Europe and the Western world.<ref name="c458" />
==Awards== * 2020: Sakharov Prize (European Parliament, Prize for Freedom of Thought)<ref>{{cite web|title=The democratic opposition in Belarus – 2020, Belarus|publisher=Europäisches Parlament|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharovprize/en/the-democratic-opposition-in-belarus-202/products-details/20201021CAN58092}}</ref><ref>zeit.de: [https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2020-10/eu-parlament-sacharow-preis-belarus-opposition-menschenrechte ''Belarussische Opposition erhält Sacharow-Preis'']</ref> * 2021: Global Belarusian Solidarity Award by the Center for Belarusian Solidarity in the category "Deed"<ref>{{cite web|title=Belsat wins Global Belarusian Solidarity Award|publisher=Belsat|url=https://belsat.eu/en/news/30-03-2021-belsat-wins-global-belarusian-solidarity-award/}}</ref> * On 8 March 2021 (International Women's Day), Kalesnikava was presented with the International Women of Courage Award from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The ceremony was virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and included an address by First Lady Jill Biden.<ref name="wpost">{{Cite news |title=Госдеп присудил белорусской оппозиционерке Колесниковой награду за гражданское мужество |language=ru |work=TASS|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/10841481ory.html |access-date=5 March 2021 |issn=}}</ref> * 2021: Lew-Kopelew-Preis (Germany, peace and human rights award)<ref>{{cite news|title=Lew-Kopelew-Preise gehen nach Belarus und Russland|publisher=Zeit Online|url=https://www.zeit.de/news/2021-04/16/lew-kopelew-preise-gehen-nach-belarus-und-russland|newspaper=Die Zeit|date=16 April 2021|language=de}}</ref> * 2021: Stuttgarter Friedenspreis (Germany, award for courageous struggle against the autocratic regime of Alexander Lukashenko)<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Kolesnikowa: Belarussische Bürgerrechtlerin erhält Stuttgarter Friedenspreis|periodical=|publisher=Stuttgarter Zeitung|url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.maria-kolesnikowa-belarussische-buergerrechtlerin-erhaelt-stuttgarter-friedenspreis.65a595e8-814c-4583-9923-9e7feda94502.html|date=13 July 2021|language=de}}</ref> * 2021: Fritz-Csoklich-Preis (Austria)<ref>{{cite web|title=Fritz-Csoklich-Preis: Auszeichnung für Frauen-Trio|periodical=Die Presse|publisher=|url=https://www.diepresse.com/6009267/auszeichnung-fur-frauen-trio|date=16 July 2021|language=de}}</ref> * 2021: Menschenrechtspreis der Gerhart und Renate Baum-Stiftung (Germany, human rights award)<ref>{{cite web|title=Belarus-Aktivistin Maria Kalesnikowa ausgezeichnet|periodical=|publisher=SWR|url=https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/stuttgart/menschenrechtspreis-fuer-kalesnikova-100.html|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011090253/https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/stuttgart/menschenrechtspreis-fuer-kalesnikova-100.html|archive-date=11 October 2021|date=8 February 2021|language=de}}</ref> * 2021: Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8433/2021-vaclav-havel-prize-awarded-to-belarusian-human-rights-activist-maria-kalesnikava|title=2021 Václav Havel Prize awarded to Belarusian human rights activist Maria Kalesnikava}}</ref> * 2022: {{ill|Theodor Haecker Prize|de|Theodor-Haecker-Preis}}, City of Esslingen<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esslingen.de/start/es_themen/preisverleihung+2022.html|title=Preisverleihung 2022|website=Esslingen.de|access-date=6 June 2022|archive-date=8 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308150608/https://www.esslingen.de/start/es_themen/preisverleihung+2022.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 2022: Stig Dagerman Prize<ref name="Nyblom 2022">{{cite web | last=Nyblom | first=Sofia | title=Sofia Nyblom: Belarusiska aktivisten Maryja Kalesnikava får Stig Dagerman-priset | website=Dagens Nyheter | date=21 May 2022 | url=https://www.dn.se/kultur/sofia-nyblom-belarusiska-aktivisten-maria-kalesnikava-far-stig-dagerman-priset/ | language=sv | access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref> * 2022: Charlemagne Prize<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belarusian opposition figures win Charlemagne Prize |url=https://www.dw.com/en/belarusian-opposition-figures-win-charlemagne-prize/a-61943372 |access-date=8 August 2022 |website=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline}} *{{facebook}} *{{twitter}}
{{International Women of Courage Awards|state=collapsed}} {{Sakharov Prize}} {{Charlemagne Prize recipients}} {{Stig Dagerman Prize winners}} {{Belarusian democracy movement}} {{Václav Havel Human Rights Prize laureates}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalesnikava, Maria}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Minsk Category:21st-century Belarusian women politicians Category:21st-century Belarusian politicians Category:Belarusian dissidents Category:Belarusian flautists Category:Women flautists Category:Belarusian music educators Category:Belarusian women music educators Category:Enforced disappearances in Belarus Category:State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart alumni Category:Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Belarus Category:Political prisoners according to Viasna Human Rights Centre Category:Musicians from Minsk Category:Recipients of the International Women of Courage Award Category:Political prisoners in Belarus Category:Václav Havel Human Rights Prize laureates Category:Eastern Orthodox Christians from Belarus Category:People of the Belarusian partisan movement (2020–present) Category:Recipients of Belarusian presidential pardons