Top U.S. diplomat slams 'shameful sentencing' of Belarus opposition figures

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about Afghanistan during a media briefing at the State Department, in Washington, U.S., September 3, 2021. Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday condemned the "politically motivated conviction and shameful sentencing" of Belarusian opposition figures Maria Kolesnikova and Maxim Znak.

"These sentencings are further evidence of the regime’s total disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Belarus," Blinken said in a statement.