According to correspondent David-Jan Godfroid, it is “certainly not impossible” that Kolesnikova was kidnapped or arrested. “Another member of the Coordination Council was recently transferred across the border to Poland. So it could be. We just don’t know for sure,” he says.
Face of the opposition
Kolesnikova is one of three women who, along with Tikhanovskaya and Veronika Tsepkalo, have become the face of the opposition to President Lukashenko in recent months.
Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with a heavy hand since 1994. Until recently, the opposition did not play a significant role in the country, as the main candidates were imprisoned.
That changed when the previously completely unknown Tichanovskaya, the wife of one of the arrested politicians, took part in the presidential campaigns. Kolesnikova and Tsepkalo – also associated with arrested candidates – united the opposition behind Tikhanovskaya, quickly gained popularity and mobilized hundreds of thousands of demonstrators across the country.
No fear
Still, according to the regime, Lukashenko won the elections by 80 percent. The EU leaders, among others, decided that election result not to recognize and protests against Lukashenko continued. Went there again yesterday tens of thousands Belarusians take to the streets. 633 protesters were arrested.
Shortly after the elections, Tichanovskaya moved to Lithuania. Tsepkalo is also no longer in the country. Kolesnikova did stay in Belarus.
In an interview with News hourshortly before the elections, Kolesnikova said he did not feel any fear. “I am responsible for myself,” she said.
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