(Read full article on rferl.org)

Police in Belarus have detained former world champion freestyle skier Alyaksandra Ramanouskaya, according to a local group that supports athletes being persecuted for their political views, and faces an immediate trial in Minsk.

The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) said in a post on Facebook on November 11 that Ramanouskaya, “an athlete with active social stance,” was detained after a training session the day before.

“The trial of freestylist Alyaksandra Ramanouskaya is due today, November 11,” the group said, adding that her lawyer was already heading to the court.

It did not give any details on the charges and Belarusian officials have not commented on the situation.

Ramanouskaya, the 2019 world ski aerials champion, was a signatory of a letter of protest signed by more than 2,000 Belarusian sports figures.