Former Belarusian swimmer Oleksandra Gerasimenya was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison for “creating an extremist structure”, human rights organization “Vyasna” reported, AFP reports.

Oleksandra Gerasimenya, sentenced to 12 years in prison

The guilty verdict was handed down by a court in Minsk. The trial began on December 19.

According to the public organization, the 36-year-old Belarusian, who left sports in 2019 and lives in exile, was also found guilty of “calling for sanctions against Belarus” and “transmitting false information about events from the country.”

In 2020, during a protest against the controversial re-election of President Oleksandr Lukashenka, who has been in power since 1994, the former champion, along with other Belarusian athletes, signed an open letter calling for free elections.

She then founded the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund (BSSF), an organization that provides financial and legal assistance to Belarusian athletes targeted by the authorities.

In April 2021, she auctioned off a gold medal won at the 2012 World Championships to raise funds for athletes opposing the authorities in Belarus, writes News.ro.

Oleksandr Gerasimen, the most important results of his career

CE 2010 – 50m backstroke gold

CM 2011 – gold in 100 m freestyle

CM 2012 (short course) – gold in the 50 m freestyle

JO 2012 – silver in 50 and 100 m freestyle

JO 2016 – bronze in 50 m freestyle.