Nikolai Golovkov worked in Minsk as a telecommunications engineer. In the fall of 2021, he was detained by the KGB in the “Zeltser case”. The man was sentenced to three years in the colony, which he fully served.
“Before being escorted to the colony, I spent 14 months in the detention center,” recalls Nikolai. — Together with others arrested in this case in Zhodzina pre-trial detention center for 45 days we were subjected to torture, which was repeated in August 2022. Then, for a month during the court hearings, I was in the detention center without water, fresh air and the possibility to use the toilet, as there was no toilet in the cell.
During his imprisonment, Nikolai developed an eye disease. The disease developed because of the long time spent in the pre-trial detention center, where gas-discharge lamps are still used. Because of them, many people have eye pain and vision deterioration. “When I was transported to the colony, I realized that my eyesight had deteriorated a lot” — says Nikolai.
After release, the man was subjected to many restrictions, including a ban on traveling abroad. They had to be lifted in court. Because of the uncertainty and insecurity, last September he was able to evacuate to Poland, where he began to rebuild his life. Already in emigration, the man underwent surgery on one eye and is now going through a recovery phase.
According to Nikolay, at the moment he can only work part-time at times, but not officially, as he has applied for International Protection, which makes his employment situation difficult.
“My doctor has forbidden me to lift weights over 5 kilograms, and my part-time job involves lifting and carrying heavy objects,” he shares. — So for some time I am actually on sick leave for recovery and cannot work.”
The funds raised will cover post-operative recovery costs, rent, and groceries and necessities while he recovers and waits for the paperwork to be resolved.
“I also plan to start the process of certification and confirmation of my profession as a telecommunications engineer in Poland,” Nikolai specified.
The former political prisoner will be grateful for any assistance rendered: “I moved to another country and started my life from scratch. But I am determined for the best, because I am much calmer here”.
How much is needed?
€3000
€1200 — rent for 2 months
€1000 — certification and proof of profession
€800 — groceries and basic necessities