Late Award of Karlspreis to Belarusian Opposition Figure Kolesnikova - Maria Kolesnikova Wins Charlemagne Prize After Years Behind Bars
Maria Kolesnikova, a prominent Belarusian opposition figure, has been honoured with the International Charlemagne Prize for 2022. The award recognises her bravery in fighting for democracy and free elections. A ceremony held in Aachen's Coronation Hall marked the occasion last Saturday.
Kolesnikova was imprisoned in 2020 after leading protests against Alexander Lukashenko's government. A court later sentenced her to 11 years in a penal colony for her role in the demonstrations. Despite the harsh conditions, her resistance drew international attention.
She remained behind bars until December 2025, when authorities released her. Following her freedom, Germany took her in, and she is now set to receive political asylum. The Charlemagne Prize committee cited her 'extraordinary courage' as the reason for the award.
Belarus continues to be ruled by Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The country's political climate remains tightly controlled, with no recent signs of change in Lukashenko's grip on power.
The prize highlights Kolesnikova's long struggle for democratic reforms in Belarus. Her release and asylum in Germany come after years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, Lukashenko's regime maintains its authoritarian stance, with no reported shifts in policy.
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