Maria Kolesnikova, a 40-year-old Belarusian musician and activist, is currently in intensive care while serving a prison term on charges framed as anti-state conspiracy and extremism. Reports from Viktor Babariko’s supporters indicate that Kolesnikova is being treated in an emergency hospital in Gomel. Babariko, a former presidential candidate who was arrested on bribery accusations, has connections to Kolesnikova through their shared political and civic work. The information has been confirmed by her attorney, though the full details of her medical status remain undisclosed. She was moved to the hospital on November 28, initially to the surgical unit and subsequently to intensive care. A later Telegram channel post claimed that on November 29 her lawyer attempted to arrange a visit to the colony where she is imprisoned, but access was denied on the basis that she did not testify. Vladimir Pylchenko, Kolesnikova’s defender, expressed concern about her health after complaints regarding access to the prosecutor’s office and UDIN went unanswered. The lawyer noted that the response from law enforcement was lacking and that the situation warranted closer attention. The reports paint a picture of restricted medical evaluation and limited oversight during this period of custody.
The Washington Post reported on November 26 that Kolesnikova had been placed in a penal cell, or shizo, within penal colony No. 4 in Gomel. The article did not specify how long she had been in solitary confinement at the time. The same report described harsh conditions in the Belarusian shizo system, documenting limited access to case materials, restricted lawyer meetings, and minimal provisions for prisoners. Relatives quoted in the article described recent punitive measures for perceived missteps such as being in the wrong place during working hours, with a lack of basic comforts like pillows or blankets in the cells. The piece also noted that prisoners were generally restricted to simple personal items and faced significant barriers to legal defense during isolation. These details have contributed to international concerns about treatment of detainees in the country’s penal system as applied to Kolesnikova and others involved in the opposition movement.
What is Kolesnikova known for?
Maria Kolesnikova is a professional flutist and conductor who has long been active in Belarusian cultural life. She performed with the national academic orchestra and appeared in opera productions, while also organizing international cultural projects in Belarus and Germany. In 2017 she became the artistic director of Ok16, a cultural center funded in part by Viktor Babariko, a prominent banker and philanthropist who later entered the political arena. In May 2020, Kolesnikova led the campaign center for Babariko’s bid for the presidency and became a key figure in the Belarusian opposition after Babariko’s registration was blocked and he was detained on bribery charges. She worked with other independent candidates and, following the presidential election and the ensuing protests, led the coordination committee of the Belarusian opposition. In the autumn of 2020, many of her colleagues left Belarus under pressure from authorities, though some chose to stay to support imprisoned allies. There were reports of abductions and forced deportation attempts centered on Minsk during that period, with Kolesnikova resisting compelled travel. She was later detained on charges that included inciting actions against national security and conspiracy to seize state power by unconstitutional means, and the formation of an extremist organization. Critics and supporters alike have questioned the charges, arguing that there was no identifiable crime, and that the case against her was politically charged. The materials of the cases have remained shielded by confidentiality agreements, and Kolesnikova and her co-defendants have had limited access to their own files, complicating their defense. In May 2021, she received an 11-year sentence in a penal colony. The case drew widespread international attention, with human rights organizations in Western countries describing the proceedings as politically motivated reprisals against a prominent opposition figure. Throughout the investigation, Kolesnikova garnered multiple international recognitions, including a recognition from the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Expression awarded by the European Parliament for her work in human rights and civil society.
Cited reporting from prominent outlets notes the sustained international concern over the Belarusian penal system and the treatment of opposition figures. Observers highlight that access to legal materials, attorney meetings, and humane conditions are critical for fair proceedings. The case continues to be used in broader discussions about civil space, freedom of assembly, and the protection of cultural figures who engage in political life. In addition to legal proceedings, human rights advocates stress the importance of independent oversight and transparency for detainee welfare and legal defense access across Belarus.