Marija Kolesnikowa

Marija Kolesnikowa is a Belarusian human rights activist. She gained prominence for her role in protests against the Lukashenko regime. Kolesnikowa was imprisoned for five years and has recently been released. She is newsworthy because of her release and her recent acceptance of the Karlspreis, a prestigious European award. The articles highlight her activism and the political context of Belarus, including Lukashenko's attempts to balance relations with Russia and the West. Her release and award acceptance signify her continued relevance as a symbol of resistance and human rights in Belarus.