In March this year, former political prisoner Denis was forcibly deported to Lithuania after a group of political prisoners was released. Since then, the Belarusian has been rebuilding his life in exile. To become financially independent, he needs to gain a new profession, and while he studies, he needs to cover housing, food, and treatment for dermatitis.
Denis Zhelezko is 40 years old and from Homyel. In August 2020, Denis was working abroad, but he closely followed what was happening at home. He looked forward to the presidential election with great hope, while the events of August 9 and the following days came as a shock to him. After seeing footage of peaceful people being beaten, he openly expressed his views on social media. This ultimately led to his arrest, and in July 2024 he was sentenced to four years in a correctional facility.
In March 2026, the Belarusian was released and taken to Lithuania together with a group of political prisoners. The €1,000 raised by BYSOL as part of a joint fundraiser for the group helped cover the first expenses after leaving Belarus, but this amount is not enough to make a full start on a new life. Denis now lives in Lithuania and has obtained a humanitarian residence permit. Formally, this gives him the opportunity to build a life in a new country, but in practice, he has to start everything from scratch.
“I don't have stable housing, a job, or enough money to live on. I already need to find an apartment, pay the rent and deposit, buy basic household items, continue my treatment, and prepare for employment at the same time,” the Belarusian says. “I have to start my life over. I found myself in another country with practically no means of subsistence.”
To gain a new profession and start working as soon as possible, Denis applied for an educational programme for former political prisoners. Courses in data analytics and English will begin soon. He had to buy a computer for his studies with his own money, and that was the end of his funds.
At the same time, the man is looking for work — both in areas where he has experience, such as sales, commerce, customer relations, and wholesale supply, and in manual professions. He is ready to work as a warehouse worker, assembler, or CNC operator — any job where fluent Lithuanian is not required.
After his time in the Navapolatsk correctional facility, Denis began experiencing skin problems. Lithuanian doctors diagnosed him with chronic contact dermatitis, which he attributes to the conditions in the correctional facility, industrial pollution, constant stress, and nervous exhaustion. During flare-ups, he needs medication, special gels, and ointments. He received some assistance after leaving Belarus, but he now has to buy the medication himself.
“Initially, just to keep myself afloat, I'm ready to take any other job, as long as I can earn a salary,” he says.
But so far, there have been no responses. He has found himself in a situation familiar to many former political prisoners after their release: the documents are already in place, but stable employment is not; assistance for the initial period has almost run out, but a new life has not yet been established. He needs to find housing, receive treatment, study, send out CVs, and cover everyday expenses all at once.
Denis now needs support that will allow him to establish himself in Lithuania and move forward independently. He wants to gain a profession, learn the language, find a job, and no longer depend on foundations or one-off assistance.
The funds raised will help him get through the most vulnerable period after his release: find housing, continue his treatment, prepare for his studies, and focus on his main goal — working and building a life in exile.
Fundraising goal
€2000
€1200 – rent and deposit
€400 – medication, medical expenses, and products needed during dermatitis flare-ups
€400 – clothing, household items, and essential necessities