Ruslan Okostka was detained on November 15, 2020, the same day when he organized his solitary march in Salihorsk. First he was arrested for 15 days, and then a criminal case under Article 363 of the Criminal Code for “resisting a police officer during the protection of order” was initiated. The court sentenced him to three years in a general regime colony, and in April 2022 — to an additional year for malicious disobedience to the demands of the administration of the correctional facility (Art. 411 of the Criminal Code).
“In 2024, I got out of prison, and as I was facing a new term of persecution by the repressive regime, I left the country with one backpack and a couple of coins in my pocket,” Ruslan recalls. — First it was Georgia, then Turkey. In the end I ended up in Spain.
The ex-political prisoner applied for asylum in Spain. At first he lived in a camp, then he got into a refugee program that provided for language learning and subsequent employment. However, his monthly allowance of about 220 euros barely covers basic needs, including food. The man cannot afford even basic necessities.
“I am allocated about 220 euros a month, which is barely enough even for food, and I can't buy myself banal clothes. In addition, I need at least some kind of laptop to study Spanish and work,” says the Belarusian.
Support Ruslan so that he can establish his everyday life, adapt in a new country and build a new life away from repression.
How much is needed?
€1500
€600 — laptop for work and study,
€150 — cell phone top-up,
€750 — purchase of clothes, shoes and household items.