Mikhail Marynich

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Mikhail Marynich (Belarusian: Міхаіл Марыніч; Russian: Михаил Маринич - Marinich) - an opposition leader in Belarus. He was a former minister of foreign economic affairs, and former ambassador of Belarus to Latvia.

He became an opposition politician when he ran against the president Lukashenko for the presidency in the 2001 election, when he openly accused Lukashenko of implementing authoritarian policies in the country.

After the election Marynich was accused and sent imprisoned on dubious charges of stealing computers from an NGO, of which he is himself a director. The computers belong to the US Embassy, and US Department issued a statement that they don't have any claims against Mr Marynich. He was given a five year sentence, although the sentence was later cut to 3.5 years. Amnesty International declared that he is considered a prisoner of conscience.

In March 2005, still in Orsha prison, he suffered a cerebral stroke. A few days later, he married 33-year-old Tatiana Baranava, a long time colleague of his. He divorced his first wife after a marriage that had lasted 35 years. They have two sons.

Michail Marynich was released from jail on April 14, 2006, shortly after Alexander Lukashenko started his controversial third term in office.

Marynich is the inspirational leader for Zubr, a youth resistance movement.