Good afternoon!
My name is Egor Evstratov.
The year 2020 left positive emotions in my memory despite the consequences. These are memories of backyard chats, evening neighborhood tea parties, flash mobs, marches of thousands, an incredible flow of people's self-expression, bchb flags on T-shirts, in windows, and in general everywhere — feelings of an amazing level of solidarity of Belarusians. I happily participated in every possible event, hosted a courtyard chat and organized a neighborhood gathering. And yes, we all believed that the time for change had come, and to be on the sidelines at such a moment was unacceptable!
When word got out about the atrocities on Okrestina that people were going through, my acquaintances and I decided to give a symmetrical response. We decided that by damaging the personal car of an Interior Ministry officer, we would make it clear that it is not possible to treat people in such a way.
But at the site of the action we were ambushed by an arrest group. They knew about our plans from the chat room where we discussed everything. So as soon as we started to damage the car, they jumped out of the bushes and arrested us.
I was shot with a rubber shotgun blast while being arrested. Then they handcuffed me, put me on the ground and beat me for several hours. They sprayed tear gas in my face and hit me with a stun gun. I went to the hospital only the next day, because the ambulance doctors insisted on my hospitalization.
I was sentenced to 3 years and 2 months of imprisonment for hooliganism in February 2021. In addition, I received the status of an “extremist”, which made life in the colony very difficult for me — I was deprived of calls and visits with relatives, and was regularly given 24 hours in the SHIZO. And then I was transferred to a prison regime.
A SHIZO (punitive isolation cell) is a room for prisoners where conditions are much harsher than usual. Prisoners in the SHIZO are deprived of many privileges, such as transfers, visits and walks, and are often subjected to increased physical and psychological pressure.
BYSOL Note
The judicial and prison system shocked me; I had not encountered anything like it before. I was overwhelmed with conflicting feelings of rage and powerlessness. There, at all levels, the rights of political prisoners are violated at every step, and appeals and complaints are ignored.
To give you an example: I was given two days to study the case file before the trial. The case consisted of a dozen volumes of 400 pages each. I demanded a month, which I was entitled to. In response, the investigator wrote a note that I refused to study the case file, and for my complaint she punished me with a ban on visits with my relatives. The court did not react to my complaints about the investigator's actions.
It was even worse in the colony. There reigned absolute arbitrariness of the chief, who boasted that it was more difficult for him to write off a dog than a prisoner.
When I got out of the colony, it didn't take me long to figure out what to do next. I had no illusions. In 2020, my phone and computer were confiscated during detention, and all the photo/video materials from there would be enough for several more criminal cases. Without waiting for re-detention, new torture and another year in a colony, I evacuated and left the country.
Now I am safe, but without money and belongings, and I have to start from scratch. I am not allowed to work at the moment, as I am undergoing international protection proceedings. Once I receive my documents, I plan not only to work, but also to learn a new specialty, learn the language. In order to adapt in the new country and to start providing for myself.
Here I have not yet settled down with friends and acquaintances. And I thought that maybe the solidarity of Belarusians from 2020 still remained. In a sense, we all became friends when we protested together against disenfranchisement and election fraud. That's why I found the courage to ask my like-minded friends for help. I would be grateful for every transfer!
How much is needed?
€3000
€900 — purchase of a laptop for study and work
€1300 — rent (at least for 3 months)
€400 — food
€400 — basic necessities, seasonal clothing and shoes, etc.