Good afternoon!
My name is Galina Sergeevna Parhimchik. Until recently I was a lawyer of Minsk City Bar Association. I represented the interests of Belarusians in politically motivated cases at the stage of preliminary investigation and in court. Among other things, I defended my son, Viktor Parkhimchik, who was sentenced to 2 years in a colony for participation in the 2020 protests.
Since 1994 I have been an active member of the BPF party. I participated as an expert in the talk show “Each of Us” on Belsat channel, which is recognized in our country as an extremist formation. In 2020, I signed the letter “Advocates Against Violence”.
On February 28, 2024, KGB officers came to my home with a search, detained me and placed me in a temporary detention center in Minsk. A week later I was released on my own recognizance and in the status of a suspect in a criminal case (Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them), as my phone managed to recover previously deleted photos from the peaceful marches of protests in 2020.
In addition, I was shown a statement from Belinvestbank about the transfer of funds in August 2020 to the BYSOL account. The law enforcement agencies consider such assistance as “Financing of extremist activity” and forms a crime under Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus.
After weighing all the risks, I decided to leave Belarus, as I know firsthand about torture and systemic human rights violations in our country. Now I am in Poland and plan to apply for refugee status. I need your help to be able to breathe freely and settle in a new place.
How much is needed?
€3300
The money is needed for:
1. Initial rent for 3 months. €300*3 = €900
2. Purchase of office equipment to replace the seized €1000. A simple phone and a laptop. In order to continue human rights work, documentation of crimes, assistance to other victims.
3. seasonal clothing €500. Due to the urgency of departure left with one bag.
4. Buying food and hygiene products for 3 months. €300*3 = €900