Main content

Leading Belarus politician 'kidnapped by masked men'

Last month, Maria Kolesnikova told Newsday she would stay in country despite the risk of being detained or attacked

A leading opposition figure in Belarus, Maria Kolesnikova, has been kidnapped by masked men in central Minsk. Eyewitnesses said the men forced her into a dark minibus labelled 鈥淐ommunications鈥 outside the National Arts Museum in Minsk.

Ms Kolesnikova was one of three women who led the campaign against President Lukashenko in last month鈥檚 presidential elections after more senior opposition candidates were either jailed or fled Belarus. The other two women left the country after the elections - with presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fleeing to neighbouring Lithuania and Veronika Tsepkalo to Poland.

But speaking to Newsday last month, Maria Kolesnikova said she intended to stay in the country and risk imprisonment or attack because of the overwhelming support she'd received from campaigners. She also said it was 'personal' as many of her friends had been imprisoned.

She explained the campaign was always intended to unite the population of Belarus.

(Photo: Maria Kolesnikova arrives for questioning at the Investigative Committee in Minsk in August. Credit: Reuters)

Release date:

Duration:

2 minutes