The trial of Maria Kolesnikova and Maxim Znak, both leading members of the Belarusian opposition, continued on Thursday behind closed doors at the Minsk Regional Court. The trial, which started on Wednesday, takes place amid an intensifying crackdown on dissent in the ex-Soviet nation that was rocked by months of protests over a disputed presidential election. Kolesnikova, a top member of the opposition Coordination Council, has been in custody since her arrest in September. She is accused of conspiring to seize power, creating an extremist organisation and calling for actions damaging state security. Znak, another leading member of the Coordination Council, faces the same charges. They could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.