Prominent Belarus opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova belatedly receives Charlemagne prize

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Maria Kolesnikova, a prominent opposition figure in Belarus, picked up the International Charlemagne Prize on Saturday in Aachen, Germany—an award she had been unable to collect while in prison in her homeland, the Associated Press reported. The ceremony formally recognized her contributions connected to European unity, according to the report.

Kolesnikova won the prize in 2022, but she was serving a sentence at the time. As a result, her sister, Tatsiana Khomich, collected the International Charlemagne Prize on her behalf, AP said.

The International Charlemagne Prize is named after Charlemagne, the Holy Roman emperor associated with Aachen. AP reported that previous recipients include French President Emmanuel Macron, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Popes Francis and John Paul II, and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

AP said Kolesnikova became a key figure in the mass protests that erupted in Belarus in 2020. The report described her as a close ally of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced into exile after challenging President Alexander Lukashenko in that year’s vote.

According to AP, Kolesnikova was often seen at the front of demonstrations, and her profile grew further after Belarusian authorities tried to deport her in September 2020. The report said she was driven to the Ukrainian border, briefly broke away from security forces, tore up her passport, and then returned to Belarus, where authorities took her back into custody.

AP reported that Kolesnikova, a 43-year-old professional flautist, was convicted in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to seize power and sentenced to 11 years in prison. The report said she fell seriously ill behind bars and underwent surgery.

The Associated Press said Kolesnikova was released in December along with dozens of other political prisoners as part of a deal involving Washington that lifted crippling U.S. sanctions on Belarusian fertilizer exports. Saturday’s prize ceremony followed after her release, AP reported.

AP said the International Charlemagne Prize recognized Kolesnikova for what it described as “extraordinary courage” in fighting for democratic rights, free elections and respect for human rights.