Hello.
I am a former political prisoner. In order not to be imprisoned again, I left Belarus, but my wife and children are still there. I need help so that I can raise money, settle in Europe and take my family back to my home. I live here in a rather Spartan way, and I have nowhere to settle down with my family for the time being. While they are in Belarus, I will tell my story anonymously.
I am a driver by profession and I used to travel to Europe often before for work. In 2022, when I was going on another business trip through Lithuania, I learned at the border that I was banned from leaving the country. They did not tell me what the ban was related to, but recommended that I check with my place of residence.
I decided that it was the fault of the military enlistment office and went there at once. The military enlistment office told me that they had nothing to do with it. Then for some reason I went to the enforcement department (OPI), in case there was a problem there. They did not prohibit me from leaving the country, but advised me to contact the police. So I went to the police.
At the police station, where I arrived, I was immediately arrested. I was not beaten or threatened, but they promised that I would go to jail 100%. I thought it was a prank or a method of intimidation, but unfortunately they kept their promise. For my comment in Telegram against Lukashenko, I was sentenced by the court to 2 years in prison.
It was 2 years of abuse: during all this time I did not see any of my relatives. I was deprived of calls home and long visits, I could not even congratulate my children on their birthdays. They took away food from me when I received parcels and burned them at the stake in front of me, showing how omnipotent they were. This resonated with the other prisoners, as this had never been done to them before. I did not hide my indignation at such abuse, and for this I was sent to the SHIZO*, where I was kept for twenty-four hours. People convicted of drugs and murders, who were in jail with me, were in a better situation than I was.
After my release, I received 2 years of vocational registration**, which turned my life into a nightmare: constant checks, marks in the police, night visits — the police were only looking for an excuse to send me back to the colony. Because of these inspections and daily regimen, I could not return to work because it involved long business trips. Pretty soon there came a point when our family simply had nothing to live on.
Through acquaintances I managed to make a work visa and go to Europe. But my wife is afraid to leave the country for the time being and works there for pennies, receiving 600 rubles. I have to get on my feet here, but I can't earn much money yet, and I give any extra money to my wife and children through my acquaintances.
Help me to settle in a foreign country so that I can take my family and start a new life.
I will be grateful to everyone for any possible help!
*A SHIZO (punitive isolation cell) in a Belarusian prison is a room where prisoners can be placed for various violations of the prison regime. It is a kind of punishment inside the prison, applied to those who violate discipline or rules set by the administration.
**Profuchet (preventive registration) — according to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, this is the observation of a citizen's behavior in order to prevent him from preparing or committing offenses. In fact, it includes unannounced checks at the place of residence, including at night, regular check-ups at the police station, and checking the contents of the telephone
How much is needed?
€2000
€1600 — rent for three months
€400 — basic necessities (for wife and children)