US Department of State: Belarus’ regime responsible for Kaleśnikava’s health

November 30, BPN. “The regime in Belarus bears full responsibility for the health and well-being of Maryia Kaleśnikava and its 1,440 other political prisoners,” said Ned Price, spokesperson for the US Department of State.

“Those responsible will be held accountable,” he added.

Earlier, the US embassy in Minsk said it was closely monitoring reports of Kaleśnikava’s sudden hospitalization.

“We hope she receives full and excellent medical care and recovers quickly. The U.S. remains committed to accountability for regime officials who violate human rights,” the diplomatic mission tweeted.

MEP Andrius Kubilius who chairs Lithuania’s delegation in the European Parliament, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten, and a group of Social Democratic MEPs demanded the immediate release of Kaleśnikava.

Kaleśnikava, 40, was hospitalized on November 28 and is in an intensive care unit after surgery, former presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka’s campaign said. She is in a serious but stable condition with improvement.

In September 2021, authorities sentenced Kaleśnikava to 11 years in prison, declaring her guilty of conspiring to seize power, creating an extremist formation, and calling for undermining national security. Human rights groups consider her a political prisoner.