Hello!
My name is Pavel.
When I was still a schoolboy, I participated in civic protests: I applied graffiti against the construction of a nuclear power plant, attended opposition events in Mogilev and wrote about them in social networks, participated in silent protests, in the civil campaign to liberalize the law on drugs. I was even detained several times, but nothing serious happened.
Despite my age, it was important for me to speak out on public issues. I was interested in what was happening in Belarus and wanted changes for the better. But the regime was already firmly established in Belarus at that time, and activism had little influence on anything. That's why I met 2020 with joy and hope that there was a chance to change something in our country. I actively participated in marches in Minsk and Mogilev, wrote and showed what was happening around me at that moment in Instagram, applied protest graffiti together with other activists.
In October 2020, I was detained because I was recognized in the videos of one of the rallies in Mogilev. I was accused of participating in an unauthorized rally and fined.
In December 2020, I was summoned for questioning as a witness in a criminal case related to the arson of a law enforcement officer's car. I was then released, but my status remained unclear to me.
Despite the fact that repressions in the country were increasing, I thought it was right to stay in Belarus. I wanted to continue my active work and resistance to the regime. I was convinced that only being inside Belarus I could accelerate changes in the country.
I had to reconsider my beliefs when the repression affected me personally. In March 2021 the law enforcers tried to open the door of my apartment. When I opened the door, they detained me and took me to the KGB office, where I was interrogated for seven hours, without a lawyer, and forced to confess to crimes I had not committed. I was forced to record a video in which I allegedly confessed my guilt in participating in “destructive” actions and then showed it on TV for propaganda purposes.
This forced me to compromise my principles and leave. I left the country in a hurry, without waiting for the criminal case, and moved to Georgia, where I lived for three years. As time went on, the project I was working on ended, and for a long time I was unable to find another job. It was hard to live in a foreign country without income, so I decided to move to Poland, where I have many friends and more job opportunities.
On July 5, 2024, my Instagram account was recognized by the regime as “extremist materials”. I started keeping it active back in 2020, posting my art and political content. When I found out about this, I decided to protect myself from further persecution and applied for international protection.
Moving from Georgia to Poland was more difficult than I expected. It was a real march that required time and resources — almost all my savings were spent on it. Adapting to a new place without knowing Polish and without a job is hard for me. I have been interested in photography for a long time and I am looking for a job according to my professional skills. While I am waiting for the international protection status, I plan to take driving courses to work as a cab driver or courier. I don't have the funds for that yet either. With every step a new obstacle arises and solutions are not always found.
In this desperate situation, I decided to ask for help from people who are not indifferent.
I will be grateful from the bottom of my heart for any help to somehow reach the legal status and start earning independently.
How much is needed?
€2200
€1400 — payment of rent for 4 months
€800 — tuition for a driving course