I am a former political prisoner Ilya Bokhon, I am from Pinsk. In 2020, I was 17 years old, that summer I had just graduated from school. But on August 9, I went out to peaceful protests in my city — I was outraged that there was lawlessness in the country, the elections were falsified, and the people were humiliated.
A few months after my 18th birthday, I was detained. I was shocked, I could not imagine that this could happen. The security forces behaved rudely, insulted, tried to humiliate. But at least they didn’t beat me.
When I found out that a criminal case had been opened, I was confused and scared. At first, it was very difficult and scary in the pretrial detention center. I didn’t understand where I was. They treated me badly: they put me in a punishment cell, put moral pressure on me. It was a little better in the colony: I accepted the situation, got a little used to it all. And there was a little more freedom there.
After my release, I tried to adapt to Belarus, get a job. I took care of my health: because the colony simply didn’t want to provide medical care, I had problems with my teeth and stomach. But no one left me alone: the security forces constantly came, checked my phone, threatened to send me back to prison. They didn’t want to hire me. In general, I lived in constant fear.
That’s why I decided to leave this spring. I was already in Poland on April 9. Now I live in a shelter in Warsaw. I want to start a new life here: legalize, settle down, learn the language, find a good job (I plan to get a job as a driver, and then study and drive a truck).
Although I have a difficult financial situation, and I am alone in a new country, my moral state is good — I feel that I am safe and nothing threatens me. With your help, I hope to get used to it, I will be grateful for any help.
How much is needed?
€3000
€1800 — rent for two months, deposit and utility bills
€500 — purchase of essentials
€350 — Polish language courses
€250 — food
€100 — transportation costs