Belarus Opposition Leader Finally Receives Award Four Years After Prison Sentence

Maria Kolesnikova, a key figure in Belarus's 2020 pro-democracy protests, finally received the International Charlemagne Prize in Germany after being released from prison in December. The 43-year-old was originally awarded the prize in 2022 while serving an 11-year sentence for opposing authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

BERLIN — A leading Belarus democracy activist finally collected a prestigious European award on Saturday, four years after she was imprisoned for challenging her country’s authoritarian government.

Maria Kolesnikova received the International Charlemagne Prize during a ceremony in Aachen, Germany. The award was originally given to her in 2022, but her sister Tatsiana Khomich had to accept it on her behalf while Kolesnikova remained behind bars.

The 43-year-old became a central figure during the massive demonstrations that swept through Belarus in 2020. She worked closely with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to flee the country after mounting an electoral challenge against longtime dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

Kolesnikova became instantly recognizable during the protests with her short haircut, bright smile, and signature move of forming a heart shape with her hands while leading marches. Her status as a resistance icon was cemented when government forces attempted to force her out of the country in September 2020. At the Ukrainian border, she managed to escape her captors momentarily, destroyed her passport, and deliberately returned to Belarus, where she was immediately arrested.

The former professional flute player faced conviction in 2021 on charges that included plotting to overthrow the government, resulting in an 11-year prison term. During her incarceration, she became severely ill and required surgical treatment.

Her freedom came in December when she was among dozens of political prisoners released as part of an agreement with the United States that resulted in the removal of harsh American sanctions on Belarus’s fertilizer industry.

The honor Kolesnikova received takes its name from Charlemagne, the medieval Holy Roman emperor who governed much of western Europe from Aachen. Past winners of this award include French President Emmanuel Macron, former President Bill Clinton, Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II, and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The prize committee honored Kolesnikova for her “extraordinary courage” in advocating for democratic principles, fair elections, and fundamental human rights.