Maryja Kalesnikava is one of the women who led the historic protests against Lukashenko in Belarus in 2020. Her father has finally been able to talk to doctors.
30.11. 17:22•Updated 30.11. 17:23
An opposition leader serving a prison sentence in Belarus Maryja Kalesnikava40, being admitted to the hospital for intensive care raises concerns in close circles.
Kalesnikava is one of three women who led historic protests against the country’s autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko against in 2020.
The other two are Svetlana Tsihanouskaya and Veronika Tsepkalo. Kalesnikava is the only one of the trio that is still in Belarus. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison last year for his participation in protests.
Kalesnikava’s admission to intensive care was reported on Tuesday. He had reportedly undergone surgery before being transferred to intensive care. Kalesnikava is being treated at a hospital in the city of Homel in the southeastern part of the country.
Last week, Kalesnikava reportedly ended up in solitary confinement because of “disrespectful behavior”. According to those close to her, Kalesnikava’s lawyer has not been able to see her for almost two weeks.
Father was able to talk to the doctors, Kalesnikava was conscious
The most famous of Belarus’ opposition leaders, Svetlana Tsihanouskaja, has demanded that the authorities tell about Kalesnikava’s health.
He writes on Twitter that political prisoners in Belarus do not receive proper treatment.
Also the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has expressed his concern about Kalesnikava’s situation and demanded that he be released immediately.
Also the leader of the imprisoned opposition Viktar Babarykan the press service said earlier on Wednesday in Telegram that they have been waiting for information about Kalesnikava’s health condition all night and morning. Their calls from the Gomel hospital have not been answered.
Babyryka’s Telegram account reported later on Wednesday that Kalesnikava’s father was able to talk to the doctors while the police were present.
The Telegram account says that Kalesnikava’s condition was already serious when she arrived at the hospital. However, her diagnosis was not even told to her father. The reason has been said that Kalesnikava’s permission is needed for that.
The doctors reportedly said that the surgery went well and that Kalesnikava is conscious. However, his condition is still serious.
Relatives said earlier that Kalesnikava’s condition is serious but stable.
According to the sister, Kalesnikava had not complained about health concerns
Kalesnikava’s sister previously demanded that the “truth” be told about her health condition and the reason for being hospitalized.
According to Sisko, nothing has been said about the reason for the operation and Kalesnikava had not complained about her health.
Kalesnikava’s father says that his daughter seemed energetic and happy until a month ago, when he last visited her in the prison in the town of Homel.
Reuters, AFP, AP
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