Large apartment previously owned by a former athlete available for purchase in Minsk
Belarusian Swimmer Alexandra Gerasimenya's Apartment Up for Sale Amidst Political Controversy
Alexandra Gerasimenya, a renowned Belarusian swimmer and Olympic medalist, has made headlines once again, this time for the sale of her apartment located on Filimonova Street. The property, which includes a parking space, has been listed on the "BelYurObsluzhivanie" platform.
Gerasimenya, a decorated athlete, has won gold medals at World and European Championships, making her one of the best swimmers in the history of independent Belarus. She is also known as the "golden fish" of Belarus, a nickname that reflects her swimming prowess.
However, Gerasimenya has been embroiled in political controversy in recent times. In December 2022, she was sentenced to 12 years in a general-regime penal colony by the Minsk City Court. The conviction stemmed from her participation in the creation of an unregistered organization, the "Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund."
The court also seized other assets belonging to Gerasimenya, including a Land Rover Discovery Sport car, a garage space, household and audio equipment, and over $48,700 in her bank account. Three people, including a minor, are registered at her apartment address.
Gerasimenya has also been charged with spreading false information about events in Belarus and the 2020 election campaign over two years in the media and online. Her actions were reported to have caused damage exceeding Br853,000.
The auction for the apartment is scheduled for August 19, with a starting price of Br942,000. The property is located near the large Gazprom construction site and not far from the National Library of Belarus.
Gerasimenya's sentencing was issued in an absentee verdict as she was already abroad. She has previously received state awards for her sporting achievements from President Alexander Lukashenko, including being a two-time Olympic vice-champion (50m and 100m freestyle) at the 2012 Games and a bronze medalist at the 2016 Games (50m freestyle).
However, her political activism has led to her being shunned by the Belarusian government, resulting in the seizure and auctioning off of her property. This reflects the difficult political climate in Belarus, where athletes and public figures who express dissent often face severe repercussions.
- Amidst the political controversy surrounding her, Alexandra Gerasimenya's apartment, located near the National Library of Belarus and close to the large Gazprom construction site, is scheduled for auction on August 19.
- The Belarusian swimmer and Olympic medalist, Gerasimenya, has been embroiled in politics, having been sentenced to 12 years in a general-regime penal colony due to her participation in the creation of an unregistered organization.
- Although Gerasimenya is a decorated athlete, having won gold medals at World and European Championships, her political activism has led to the seizure and auctioning off of her property, as she was convicted of creating an unregistered organization and spreading false information.
- The sale of Gerasimenya's apartment, which includes a parking space and was listed on the "BelYurObsluzhivanie" platform, is a part of the policy-and-legislation in Belarus that targets athletes and public figures who express dissent, reflecting the challenging political climate in the region.
