My name is Ivan Rakit.
I am originally from Brest and I took part in the peaceful protests of 2020.
I was detained in March 2021 and convicted not only for participation in the protests, but also for “resisting a police officer”. I did not plead guilty. The prosecution did not prove my guilt, but this did not prevent the court from sentencing me to two and a half years in prison.
During my term, which I served in full, I was periodically sent to the SHIZO*. My article was considered political, and therefore the colony administration paid special attention to me. They looked for any reason to find violations in my behavior and send me to a punitive isolation cell.
For example, according to the colony rules, it was forbidden to move around the territory alone. Once I was walking with two other political prisoners to my barracks after calling my relatives. Immediately, the deputy camp director issued three violation reports against us for walking alone two minutes apart. That time I got five days in the SHIZO. I spent 33 days in the SHIZO for the whole term on such charges.
In 2023, after my release, the security forces continued to pressurize me and my family for receiving aid from humanitarian initiatives. In addition, as a former political prisoner, I was on the professional account** in the police. I regularly checked in at the ROVD, I was assigned a police officer, who could come to check on me at any time of the day or night, or call me to his office for interviews. I submitted fingerprints and DNA, like a criminal.
It was unbearable: for two and a half years I had dreamed of going free, but there was no freedom in freedom. And the prospect of being imprisoned again with three violations of profiling gave me confidence in my decision to evacuate to Poland.
For a long time in Poland I waited for a decision on my international protection and finally received refugee status. During all this time of waiting for legal status, I managed to survive with occasional part-time jobs, which hardly covered my obligatory payments and expenses. But lately I even have to borrow money, as I am now preparing for a job and doing an internship. There is no time for a part-time job, and I haven't started earning a decent income yet.
Please help me to rise at last spirit, to become on their feet and stop living with outstretched hand.
I will be grateful for any donat!
*SHIZO (punitive isolation cell) in Belarusian prison is a room where prisoners can be placed for various violations of the prison regime. It is a peculiar form 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?
€2400
€1400 — rent for 2 months while I'm interning and not earning properly
€500 — seasonal clothes
€500 to pay off debts