On April 13, the first reports on the detention of the defendants in the so-called “case of a coup d'etat and preparation of an attempt on Lukashenko's life” appeared. After that I, Vitaly Makarenko, was forced to leave Belarus, as I understood that when the country is not about the laws, they will come after me. It did not matter whether I was guilty or not.
On April 30th the KGB informed that they had uncovered a “conspiracy” and I was one of the defendants in the case. I was charged under article 357 of the Criminal Code and arrested in absentia. I could face 8 to 12 years of imprisonment. It was also stated that the KGB would seek my extradition to Belarus.
Fearing for my freedom, health and life (conditions of detention in Belarus are equal to torture by the OSCE), I applied to the competent authorities of Ukraine for political asylum. The process of considering this application is currently underway, which may take quite a long time.
Now I am in a difficult financial situation. Identity documents are being confiscated from asylum seekers. The uncertain legal status makes it impossible to find legal employment. It is impossible to get free medical care in state medical institutions. Chronic diseases (osteochondrosis of the lumbar and cervical spine, intervertebral herniations, shoulder-blade periarthritis) require constant and expensive treatment, significantly worsen the quality of life and do not allow to do any physical work.
The shoulder-blade periarthritis exacerbation started in the fall. After I shot and posted a photo of the traffic in Mogilev, two men in civilian clothes came up to me, broke my hands and dragged me into a bus where police officers were sitting. There they tied my hands behind my back with a zip tie and demanded I unlock my phone. I refused and then they began to periodically lift my tied hands behind my back with force, causing me severe pain. This went on for more than an hour and was accompanied by threats to break my hands, take me to the police station, put me in jail for 24 hours, etc. This provoked a sharp exacerbation of the disease, accompanied by constant nagging pain in my shoulders and limitation of the mobility of my arms (it is impossible to lift them).
I was forced to seek medical help, as the painkilling ointments have no effect. On the average one visit to the medical center costs 450 hryvnias, the procedures — from 180 to 350 hryvnias, x-ray — 600 hryvnias.
Taking into consideration that the course consists of at least 15 visits to the doctor the sums run up a considerable sum, and for the abovementioned reasons I have no chance to earn money.
Despite all the difficulties I am still active in the Belarusian diaspora in Lviv, organizing and participating in events to support political prisoners.
How much is needed?
717 € — Procedures: shockwave therapy 350 UAH *10 = 3500 (109 €),massage 180 *10 = 1800 UAH (56 €) (56 euros), kinesio-therapy 450 * 20 = 900 UAH. (281 euros), taping: 300 * 10 = 3000 grn. (94 euros), X-ray : 600 (19 euros), ozokerite : 450 (14 euros), Injections, ointments, medicines: 2800 (90 euros), primary consultations of specialists 500*2 =1000 (33 euros).