My name is Gleb Vetoshkin. Exactly one year ago — on November 28, 2022 — I was detained at the entrance of my house by the GUBOPiK officers for (as I was later told) subscribing to the VK group “Chai z malinavym varenne” and for the comments I left in the TG-channel “Homel 97%”.
At first I was charged under administrative article 19.11 (distribution of information products containing calls to extremist activity) and sent for 15 days in an isolation cell with humiliating conditions — without underwear, mattresses and toilet paper, but with constant (6 times a day) checks in handcuffs. Correspondence with relatives was also forbidden.
While I was on «24 hours» I was prosecuted under the political article 342 (article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order or active participation in them) and transferred to pre-trial detention center-3 in Gomel. Gomel. And then my case was handed over to a new investigator, who enthusiastically took it up, sent my messages for audio examination and opened another case against me under Article 130 (Article 130 of the Criminal Code of Belarus — incitement of racial, national, religious or other social enmity or discord). In total, I spent 5 months and 15 days in the detention center.
Then there was a trial. In May 2023 I was sentenced to 5 years of restriction of freedom without sending me to a correctional institution. But the prosecutor's office did not agree and appealed. Therefore, in August, the repeated court gave me a different sentence — 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony.
I tried to fight, but all my petitions for deferment or pardon were not even considered. And I realized that if I stayed in Belarus, I would not get the truth, and I would really end up in a colony, so I left the country.
[BYSOL has all the supporting documents]
I was successfully evacuated by the BYSOL team and am currently in Vilnius. I am looking for a job and a place to live, but it takes time and money, and I don't have any big savings, because I left very quickly, and I wasn't ready for the whole story.
So far good people and friends have helped me, but I can't burden them for long. I need very little to start from scratch in a new place. I am forced to ask for help.
Sincerely, Gleb Vetoshkin.
How much is needed?
€950
€700 — I need this amount for two months' rent.
€250 — food, utilities, airbag.