Imprisoned Belarus activist Maria Kolesnikova is considering asking for a pardon, her father says
The father of imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova says she's considering asking authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko for a pardon after more than four years behind bars
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is considering asking the country's authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko for a pardon after more than four years behind bars, her father said Wednesday.
Alexander Kolesnikov spoke to The Associated Press a day after seeing his daughter at a prison near Gomel where the 42-year-old musician-turned-activist is serving her 11-year sentence. The meeting in the prison's hospital took place after her family and friends had not heard anything from the popular and charismatic symbol of resistance for more than 20 months.
“I finally could embrace her,” Kolesnikov said, adding that she “was in relatively normal condition.” He said he couldn’t comment further because authorities only allowed the brief meeting on condition that he not release any other details.
Kolesnikov said he and his daughter discussed the possibility of appealing to Lukashenko for a pardon. “She is thinking about it,” he said.
