Glimpse of Hope: Belarusian Dissident Maria Kalesnikava's First Public Image in Over a Year

Maria Kalesnikava, a prominent Belarusian dissident, was seen for the first time in over a year. Photos of her meeting with her father were shared on social media, reflecting international pressure on President Lukashenko's regime. Despite growing solidarity, her release seems unlikely.

In a rare development, jailed Belarusian dissident Maria Kalesnikava has been pictured for the first time in over a year following a meeting with her father. The images, which surfaced on the Telegram platform, have sparked renewed attention to Kalesnikava's plight under President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

Shared by Roman Protasevich, a former dissident now acting as an intermediary between authorities and the Belarusian diaspora, the photos show Kalesnikava in what appears to be a prison hospital. Franak Viacorka, aid to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, cautiously greeted the images as a display of international pressure.

Tsikhanouskaya, a central figure in the opposition movement, expressed relief over Kalesnikava's wellbeing after prolonged isolation. Kalesnikava's past defiance includes her dramatic refusal to be deported in 2020. Currently serving an 11-year sentence, her potential release remains uncertain amid echos of regime 'humanity' tactics.

(With inputs from agencies.)