According to European diplomats, the opposition "was tried on unfounded accusations."
“The EU regrets the continuing gross disrespect by the Belarusian authorities for human rights and the fundamental rights of the Belarusian people,” the text says.
Brussels called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus."
A court in Minsk sentenced Znak and Kolesnikova to 10 and 11 years in prison, respectively.
According to the Belarusian prosecutor's office, together with other persons, they entered into a secret conspiracy to seize state power in an unconstitutional way.