Germany will take in two prominent Belarusian opposition figures, Maria Kolesnikowa and Viktor Babariko, who were recently released from imprisonment by Belarusian authorities. The announcement was made by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who emphasized Germany’s support for the Belarusian democracy movement in exile. The two were among 123 political prisoners freed after years of incarceration, a move largely facilitated by mediation involving the US government.

Kolesnikowa, a leading protest figure against the disputed 2020 presidential election in Belarus, was sentenced to eleven years in prison for conspiracy. Babariko, a former manager and a notable presidential candidate hopeful in 2020 who was barred from running, represents significant opposition to the Belarusian regime. Dobrindt also addressed the issue of Russian cyberattacks targeting Germany, affirming steps to counter such hybrid threats, including plans for legislation to enable retaliatory actions against attackers’ infrastructure.