France “
very strongly
”
condemns
the heavy prison sentences handed down in Belarus against Maria Kolesnikova, a leading figure in the summer 2020 protest, and her co-accused Maxime Znak, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry published on Tuesday.
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Maria Kolesnikova was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison, notably for "
conspiracy to seize power
", and Maxime Znak to 10 years. These court decisions "once again
illustrate the arbitrary repression by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko of the democratic protest movement in Belarus
", triggered in 2020 by the disparaged re-election of the head of state in place since 1994, argues the door - speech of the Quai d'Orsay, Anne-Claire Legendre. "
We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of Maria Kolesnikova, Maxime Znak and all political prisoners in the country,
" she continues, recalling that "
with its partners in the European Union, France has adopted sanctions against those responsible for serious human rights violations in Belarus
”.
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The EU on Monday condemned
Belarus' "
blatant disregard
" for human rights and reiterated its call for the "
immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners
", including those of Maria Kolesnikova and Maxim Znak.
The United States also deemed "
shameful
" Monday the sentences of the two opponents, describing the prosecution against them as "
political
".