Cichanoŭskaja slams verdict against sports activists

December 26, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has slammed the prison sentences imposed on Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) founders in their absence as “shameful.”

“This is how the regime tries to punish its opponents in exile,” she tweeted.

On December 26, the Minsk City Court found three-time Olympic medalist Alaksandra Hierasimenia and handball club Vityaz’s former director Alaksandr Apiejkin guilty of calling for sanctions to be imposed on Belarus. It sentenced both to 12 years in prison.

Hierasimenia wrote on Facebook: “We read the decision, had a laugh and continued to celebrate. As they say, feel free to shoot me in my absence.”

Human rights activists say the court also ordered the seizure of over $48,000 on Hierasimenia’s accounts, an apartment, a car, a parking lot and multiple pieces of equipment. All this property will reportedly be sold to cover the legal costs.

BSSF was founded in response to the crisis that followed the 2020 presidential election. It focuses on supporting harassed athletes and defending their rights.