The family is now in Poland with no means of supporting themselves. They are waiting for a decision on their international protection application, are not allowed to work, and will soon lose their temporary accommodation.
My name is Siarhei Liazhenka. I am from Pinsk, and I spent five years and seven months in a medium-security penal colony in connection with the “Pinsk case.”
When I was released on April 14, 2026, I learned that while I was imprisoned, my wife had been fined more than 50,000 Belarusian rubles in administrative cases simply because she had done everything she could to support me in prison. The authorities blackmailed her using our son, telling her that if she failed to pay on time, she would be imprisoned just like me and our child would be taken into state care.
It got to the point where they stormed into our home and confiscated everything to cover the fines: our appliances, furniture, even the mobile phone my wife had bought for our son in installments. All because she stood by me while I was in prison, working like a slave at the prison sawmill.
When we realized they would never leave us alone, we fled Belarus carrying our young son in our arms. All we had with us was a small backpack containing our passports and a few essential belongings. Nothing else.
We have been in Poland since May 10. We applied for international protection, but the process takes six months, and during that time we are not allowed to work. We have no money at all. Fortunately, friends gave us a place to stay for two months, but we will soon have to move out. We have no money to rent a home for ourselves and our ten-year-old son, and no legal way to earn it. We have nothing left, and nowhere else to turn. We urgently need help to pay for housing, food, our son's basic needs, and essential everyday expenses. And just a few days ago, I learned that yet another criminal case has been opened against me in Belarus.
This situation has finally broken me and forced me to ask for help. I truly did everything I could to cope on my own. But my financial, physical, and emotional situation has become desperate. Right now, we need support to restore our health, continue our education, and eventually find work. We are in despair, and I sincerely ask everyone who is able to help us.
Fundraising goal
€3900
€1900 – rent and security deposit for an apartment
€950 – food and basic household expenses for the family
€450 – clothing, footwear, and essential items for the family
€350 – expenses for our child
€250 – transportation, communication, and other essential expenses