A dialogue with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is possible only on equal terms: voluntarily and not in prison, but at large. Also, the conversation should have a clear purpose. Such conditions were voiced by one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition Maria Kolesnikova, her words are reported by the German edition of Der Spiegel.
According to Kolesnikova, while the leaders of the protests are in custody, it is impossible to talk to the authorities. “The Belarusian leadership must first of all satisfy the basic demands of our people: release political prisoners and start investigating crimes committed against the people,” she stressed.
As said Kolesnikova, who is currently in custody, she was not provided with protection and was not allowed to contact a lawyer either personally or by phone. At the same time, she was sent to a “fake quarantine” not for the prescribed 10 days, but for three weeks.
The oppositionist managed to send her answers to the German edition only after several attempts, which lasted several weeks. Kolesnikova’s cellmate told her lawyer.
Earlier, the opposition leader complained that her case had not yet been conducted not a single investigative measure. In addition, Kolesnikova’s petitions for abduction by the security forces, attempted forced deportation and detention, as well as threats to her life and health were not considered during her 80 days in the pre-trial detention center.
On November 16, the court extended Kolesnikova’s detention until January 8. She was charged under part 3 of article 361 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (“Calls to action aimed at causing harm to national security”).
Kolesnikova was detained on September 8. This became known a day after unknown persons abducted her in the center of Minsk. According to the Belarusian authorities, the opposition leader, together with two associates, tried to escape to Ukraine and was detained while trying to break through the border in a car. Kolesnikova herself, as well as the Ukrainian side denied these words: Kiev insists that they tried to deport the oppositionist by force, but she tore her passport in order to stay in the country.