Belarusian authorities on Monday handed prolonged jail phrases to 2 opposition activists who had fled the nation, within the first courtroom verdict towards dissidents that was introduced in absentia.

Aliaksandra Herasimenia and Alexander Opeikin had been every sentenced to 12 years in jail. A courtroom in Minsk convicted the 2 on expenses of calling for sanctions and inflicting hurt on the nationwide safety of Belarus.

Herasimenia, a former swimmer and three-time Olympic medallist, and Opeikin based the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, which united lots of of Belarusian athletes vital of President Alexander Lukahsenko’s authoritarian rule.

The basis created by Herasimenia and Opeikin contributed to cancelling the most important worldwide tournaments in Belarus in 2021, together with the European Track Championships, the Ice Hockey World Championship and World Modern Pentathlon Championships — a humiliation for Lukahsenko, who loves sports activities and is a proud hockey participant.

Belarusian authorities accused the 2 activists of undermining Belarus’s nationwide safety. The trial was held behind closed doorways and with out the accused current in accordance with a brand new legislation Lukahsenko signed in July, which allowed courts to strive Belarusians who had fled overseas in absentia.

In addition to handing Herasimenia a jail time period, the courtroom additionally dominated to grab her house, her automobile and $48,000 US in her financial institution accounts.

Opposition chief Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who additionally faces prosecution and lives in exile in Lithuania, condemned the sentences handed to Herasimenia and Opeikin on Monday.

“Shameful!.. This is how the regime tries to punish its opponents in exile,” Tsikhanouskaya tweeted. “The regime can’t get to them, but their property in Belarus was seized, including a car [and] an apartment.”