I was arrested twice in Belarus, beaten with truncheons, kicked and tortured with a stun gun. On January 11, 2023, I woke up to the fact that my door was already being broken down. The door was iron. So in my haste I had time to remove everything that could harm me. After that they put me on the floor and started kicking and beating me with truncheons and using a stun gun on me.
They shouted and threatened to kill me. They called me a terrorist and various other words. They took away my computer hard drive and my smartphone. Of course they couldn't find anything serious. They recorded with me a repentant video in which I said that I was allegedly sowing interethnic discord between Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians, as well as supporting Ukranazis.
After a long beating I was taken to the police department. I stayed there until late at night, and then they took me to Okrestina. I spent the night there, and the next day I was tried for allegedly shouting and waving my arms loudly at the police department and for not responding to legal demands, which violated public order.
I was sentenced to 15 days in jail. After serving my time I returned home and found that my passport was no longer on the hanging shelf, but instead there was only a cover on the table. I had to spend money on an urgent restoration of my passport, as the police department told me that my passport had not been taken. Since then I have been afraid to go home. I heard about repeated detentions.
I sit at home with the fear of being broken into again. I have received a copy of the administrative criminal record order and an order that I can pick up my stuff. I did not take my smartphone and hard drive so as not to be reminded of myself again. The consulate called me and made an appointment. I went there and was told that visas were only available today for March 6. I went home and waited for March 6, but did not wait.
On February 26th they broke in again and detained me on suspicion of committing a terrorist attack. They thought it was me who had shot down the plane in Machulischy. I was not guilty, but during the examination of my phone they found a repost from the channel “Real Belarus”. For this I was again sentenced to 15 days in jail, but this time with confiscation of my smartphone. After I was released from arrest I took all the money I had and went to the consulate. There I took my passport with a ready visa. I had to go to Poland not directly, but through Russia, Latvia and Lithuania. I spent 90% of my budget. I am going to apply for international protection. I wanted to get an official job, but you cannot work officially until you apply for international protection. Now I have no means of subsistence at all.
How much is needed?
2126€ — For two months' accommodation in a hostel in Warsaw, cell phone expenses, travel expenses and food expenses until I am entitled to be officially employed after I am granted international protection.