Jailed Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, who won this year's Nobel Peace Prize, has been indicted by the country's prosecutors and may face up to 12 years in prison.

The prosecutors said on Monday that they indicted Bialiatski for smuggling large amounts of cash into the country, and involving a civilian in activities to disturb public order.

Bialiatski was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October along with Russian and Ukrainian human rights organizations. He has worked to expose human rights violations by the Belarusian government led by President Alexander Lukashenko, and to spread knowledge of human rights.

But Bialiatski has been jailed since July last year, when authorities stepped up crackdowns on anti-government rallies following the country's 2020 presidential election.

In an NHK interview, human rights organization Spring, which Bialiatski founded, criticized the indictment, calling it based on foolish charges.

Bialiatski's wife is expected to attend the Nobel Peace Prize presentation ceremony on December 10 in Oslo, Norway.