Maria Kalesnikava accepts Charlemagne Prize after years in Lukashenka's prisons
Maria Kalesnikava, a key figure in Belarus's 2020 opposition movement, has finally received the International Charlemagne Prize in person. The award ceremony took place in Aachen on 14 March 2026, years after she was first honoured while imprisoned. Her release from a Belarusian jail in late 2025 made the moment possible after years of detention under Alexander Lukashenka's regime.
The prize, one of Europe's most prestigious, recognises contributions to democracy and unity. Kalesnikava shared the 2022 award with fellow opposition leaders Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Veronika Tsepkalo, though she could not attend at the time due to her 11-year prison sentence.
Kalesnikava was arrested in Minsk in September 2020 after mass protests against Lukashenka's disputed re-election. A year later, she received an 11-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Her imprisonment became a symbol of the regime's crackdown on dissent, which has since worsened.
By 2026, Belarus held over 1,149 political prisoners, according to rights groups. Reports of torture, enforced disappearances, and systemic abuses have grown. The country has also deepened ties with Russia, allowing troop deployments, nuclear weapons, and sanctions evasion—actions that led Ukraine to impose further restrictions on Lukashenka in February 2026. Kalesnikava's release came in December 2025 as part of a pardon for 342 prisoners, many of whom were forced into exile. Now living in Germany, she met with Armin Laschet, the former North Rhine-Westphalia premier and Charlemagne Prize board member, in Aachen. The meeting underscored Europe's continued support for Belarusian democracy activists. The 2022 award had already highlighted the opposition's struggle, but Kalesnikava's presence this year marked a rare moment of defiance against Lukashenka's rule. Her journey from prison to the prize ceremony reflects both her resilience and the ongoing repression in Belarus.
Kalesnikava's appearance at the ceremony draws fresh attention to Belarus's political crisis. The regime's human rights record remains dire, with no sign of easing repression. Meanwhile, her relocation to Germany ensures she can continue advocating for change from outside the country.
The Charlemagne Prize event also reinforces Europe's stance on democratic values at a time when Belarus's alignment with Russia deepens. For Kalesnikava and her allies, the recognition serves as both a tribute and a reminder of the work still ahead.
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