Alexei Kudin— a former world champion kickboxer and MMA fighter best known for competing in the M-1 Global heavyweight division—has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for his participation in pro-democracy demonstrations in Belarus last year.
Kudin was detained in Moscow after fleeing political persecution in Belarus several months ago. He was later extradited back to his homeland, where he stood trial for his role in a pro-democracy demonstration in Minsk.
The heavyweight fighter took part in the pro-democracy protests against dictator Alexander Lukashenko following the August 9, 2020 presidential election. During the anti-government demonstration, Kudin reportedly assaulted a security officer and knocked him unconscious after security forces attacked the peaceful protestors.