Belarus protest leader Kolesnikova detained at Ukraine border

(ASPAMNEWS) – Opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is reportedly being held in Belarus after resisting a forced deportation to Ukraine. Local media said that she tore up her passport at the border.

Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova was held in Belarus on Tuesday after resisting a forced deportation to Ukraine, according to officials in Kyiv.

Two of her aides were also seized, the opposition Coordination Council said. They were press secretary, Anton Rodnenkov, and executive secretary, Ivan Kravtsov.

Early Tuesday, the trio were driven to the Ukrainian border, where authorities told them to cross into Ukraine. Her aides went to Ukraine, but Kolesnikova remained in the custody of Belarusian authorities.

Anton Bychovsky, spokesman for Belarus’ Border Guard Committee, confirmed that Kolesnikova is still in Belarus.

Ukrainian officials also confirmed that Kravtsov and Rodnenkov had crossed the border, and that Kolesnikova had resisted. Ukraine’s Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko said on Facebook that Kolesnikova had successfully prevented a « forcible expulsion from her native country. »

« This was not a voluntary departure, » Gerashchenko wrote.

He also said that Kolesnikova « took actions » to prevent her departure from Belarus. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported that she tore up her passport at the border so that Ukrainian border officials would not be able to let her through.

« Maria Kolesnikova was not able to be deported from Belarus as this brave woman took steps to prevent herself from being moved across the border. She remained on the territory of the republic of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko is personally responsible for her life and health, » said Gerashchenko. (DWE/2020)