“The last time I was arrested was on January 12, 2025 — 7 days under Article 24.23 for photos with the white-red-white flag on social networks,” recalls Andrei. — The law enforcers found my old photos from the protests back in 2022, and convicted me under the law of 2023.
After the election, the man continued to participate in street actions, support the repressed and help the detainees. In 2022 he went to Poland on a work contract, but returned to Belarus a year and a half later.
“For six months after my return I was not touched. I was beginning to think that not everything is not so terrible,” says the activist. — And then they came for me. When I got out after seven days, I got a call from the KGB. The KGB officer said that I would be invited back in a week. At that moment I realized how much time I had left in freedom. A week to leave.
Andrei packed his things, made his way to Gdansk and then to Sweden, hoping to get asylum there. However, Swedish authorities denied him status and deported him back to Poland.
Now Andrzej is in Poland, on March 13 he will have to submit documents for international protection. Until then, he cannot officially work and his savings have run out.
“I live thanks to the help of other people, but it is temporary. For the next two months I need money for housing and food. After that, I will try to settle down on my own,” says Andrei. — I myself have repeatedly helped the guys who suffered from repressions, and now I count on the support of not indifferent Belarusians”.
How much is needed?
€2080
€1200 — rent for two months,
€600 for food and living expenses,
€280 — payment of debts accumulated during the period of forced relocation.