Swimming champion Aliaksandra Herasimenia was given a 12-year prison sentence in absentia for forming an extremist formation in connection with her work with the Belarus Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF).
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Swimming champion Aliaksandra Herasimenia, a well-known opponent of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was given a 12-year prison sentence in absentia for forming an extremist formation in connection with her work with the Belarus Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF). The 36-year-old was also found guilty of calling for sanctions against Belarus and publishing false information about the events concerning protests in 2020, according to Viasna Human Rights Centre. Herasimenia has lived in exile in Lithuania since 2019 and has been a vocal critic of Lukashenko, who has been regarded as Europe’s last tyrant and has been in power as head of state since 1994.
The retired swimmer was one of several sportsmen to sign an open letter advocating for free elections after the Presidential election saw Lukashenko win over 81 percent of the vote, amid protests throughout the nation in 2020. Second-placed candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was detained during campaigning, and the elections were not deemed free and fair. Following the election, Herasimenia established the BSSF, which offers financial and legal support to national athletes who are being targeted by the authorities. To raise money for the BSSF, the double silver medalist from London 2012 and the bronze medalist from Rio 2016 auctioned off their gold medals from the 2012 World Championships.
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The swimmer’s co-founding partner in the BSSF, Alexander Opeikin, received the same punishment. Herasimenia’s flat and car, as well as $48,000 (£40,000/€45,000) from her bank account, have been confiscated. The organization was critical in the country’s cancellation of international events, notably the European Track Championships. Belarus’ involvement in the invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the continuation of sporting sanctions. More than 35,000 people were arrested during the nationwide protests two years ago. Since then, the government has punished outspoken Belarusian athletes.
Sviatlana Andryiuk and Darya Dolidovich, both cross-country skiers, had their International Ski and Snowboard Federation codes removed for supporting the opposition. Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, the women’s 2019 aerials world champion, was removed from the national squad in late October 2020 for “truancy” and eventually sold her gold medal to raise funds for the organization. She was arrested by the police in November 2021 on “administrative charges” and fined €1,000. Yelena Leuchanka, a basketball player, and Andrei Krauchanka, a decathlete, were earlier detained for participating in protests.
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