Hello!
My name is Irina Schastnaya.
In 2020, I was the editor of a number of Telegram channels, covering the protests before and after the elections, the facts of violence and repression against peaceful Belarusians. For security reasons, I lived for several months in Ukraine, but all this time I missed my family very much. I convinced myself that since I did not call for violence, I would not be affected by repression, and returned home.
On November 18, 2020, the security forces broke into my house, searched my house, and arrested me in front of my family. I was accused of preparing mass riots under the criminal article (Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. — Preparation for participation in mass riots) and on May 25, 2021 the court sentenced me to 4 years in prison.
In the colony the staff regularly put pressure on me: they made false reports, imposed all kinds of penalties. As a result, I was released with preventive supervision* as a persistent violator of the regime. This meant that for a few more years my life would be like a prison. The prospect of living under the regime again was unbearable. To be afraid of committing any offense so as not to end up in the penal colony. It took me two days to assess the situation, make a decision and leave the country. I told about my experience in an interview with Zerkalo, on Serhiy Bespalov's channel Bes Live and Nasha Niva.
I was released on June 29, 2024, on my birthday. It could have been a double celebration, but on that day I did not feel joy at all. After several prison years in fear and stress, the freedom of the prisoners was a great joy.
I was released on June 29, 2024, my birthday. It could have been a double celebration, but on that day I felt no joy at all. After several prison years in fear and stress, freedom seems scary and unknown. I came out of there with a very shattered nervous system, and I still can't fully recover.
But I found the strength to ask for financial help because I really need it now. When I left, because of the hurry, I did not have time to pick up my money seized during the search at the Investigative Committee. I have practically no personal belongings after prison, and there is no possibility to buy them. According to the court decision all my equipment — phones, computer — were destroyed, and I would like to buy them again. I really need to put my health in order, I have a lot of psychological problems that I cannot solve without specialists. In a foreign country I especially feel my loneliness and in order to adapt I plan to learn Polish. All this requires money, which I don't have yet.
I have no one in Poland except my family and you. These almost 4 years are just cut out of my life. With my mind and heart I am still in 2020 and despite all the horror I have gone through, I still believe in our solidarity.
From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone who can support me during this difficult time
How much is needed?
€4500
€1200 — to rent an apartment for 2 months
€1000 — to buy a laptop and a phone
€900 — I need to undergo a medical examination after the colony with different specialists, my psychological condition requires a long course of therapy, consultation with a psychotherapist and possibly medication.
€800 — clothes and shoes according to the season, essentials
€600 — Polish language courses to adapt to Poland
*Preventive supervision is a control measure applied to people after their release. It implies staying at home from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., leaving the city only upon agreement with the police, prohibition to attend public events, and other forms of control.