Elena was arrested in September 2021 for painting over 80 bales of haylage, after which a criminal case was opened against her for malicious hooliganism. She was remanded in custody pending trial and placed in a temporary detention facility.
In January 2022, Elena was charged with "gross violation of public order, expressed in an attempt to distract drivers and disrupt traffic" and sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony.
She was released in May 2022, having fully served her sentence as imposed by the court.
After her release, pressure continued to be exerted on Elena; in June 2022, she was detained by KGB officers. She was subsequently forced to leave Belarus.
