Germany will welcome two prominent Belarusian oppositionists recently released from prison, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrinth announced, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
We are talking about Maria Kolesnikova and former presidential candidate Viktor Babariko. "We have a strong interest in supporting the democratic movement, even when it operates outside Belarus, as is currently the case", Dobrinth explained to German broadcaster AERD. He added: "Today we will welcome two prominent opposition politicians who were in prison."
On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 123 political prisoners. According to his press service, the release took place "as part of an agreement reached with US President Donald Trump and at his insistence."
Most of those released were transported by bus to Ukraine, including Kolesnikova and Babariko.
Before the announcement of their acceptance by Germany, Kolesnikova said that she would not stay in Ukraine. "I am thinking of moving to another country. My sister is in Europe, and my relatives also live elsewhere," she said at a press conference in Kiev. Babariko indicated that she has other plans for her future.
Maria Kolesnikova was one of the leaders of mass protests after the disputed 2020 presidential election. She was arrested in September 2020 and a year later was sentenced to 11 years in prison for plotting to overthrow the government.