Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 40, leads the Belarusian opposition in exile after challenging dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election. Her trial in absentia opens on Tuesday in Minsk, as joint military exercises involving the Russian army have just started in this country bordering Ukraine.
LE FIGARO.
- What are you accused of by the authorities of your country?
Svetlana TIKHANOVSKAÏA
.
- I was fired for a dozen criminal code offences, including conspiracy to seize power, creation of extremist groups or incitement to riot.
Of course, this procedure orchestrated by the regime is ridiculous.
Unlike Lukashenko, we waged our fight in strict accordance with the law and in a peaceful manner.
It was he, not us, who seized power by force and has since then subjected the Belarusians to a regime of terror.
Of course, I will not be present at this trial.
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