The representative of the Coordination Council of Belarus opposition Anton Rodnenkov said that authorities had attempted to force member of the council’s praesidium Maria Kolesnikova out of the country. This was reported during a press conference held in Kiev on Tuesday.

"They were leading her, and it was quite noisy. In other words, it sounded like she was being led, that she was resisting. She was forced into the back seat, and there was a mode on when the doors could not be opened. She was pushed there and shut in," said the member of the opposition.

According to Rodnenkov, Kolesnikova "was shouting that she was not going anywhere" and after that, she tore up her passport into small pieces. So the member of council’s praesidium stayed in Belarus while Rodnenkov and Kravtsov left the country.

Another member of the Coordination Council Ivan Kravtsov added that the alleged attempted forced expulsion from Belarus of Kolesnikova, was explained by their unidentified alleged kidnappers "by the need for de-escalation of the situation in the country."

"Maria and I have been discussing her departure-related issue quite often. We have always had the following position: no matter what, we try not to leave the territory of Belarus, because we must stay close to the events that are taking place," stressed Kravtsov.

Meanwhile, the border committee of Belarus reported that Maria Kolesnikova was detained for violating the border crossing procedure with Ukraine.

At the moment, proceedings against Kolesnikova are underway.