Hello!
My name is Viktor Panteleev, I am a former political prisoner. Until 2020, I lived an ordinary life in Brest: I went to work, met my girlfriend and was happy about simple things. And I used to realize under what kind of power we live. But I did not expect such disenfranchisement, impudence and violence towards us!
Having learned about falsifications at the polling stations on August 9, 2020, I went out with other Brest citizens for a peaceful protest. I wanted a better free life for my country and showed my attitude to the actions of the authorities as my conscience told me to.
On August 18, 2020 I was detained — they came straight to work and sent me to the temporary detention center. At that time, I was sure that I would be given an administrative article, I would soon be released, and I would be able to fight against the regime again. But a few days later I was charged under criminal article 293 (Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — participation in mass riots) and I realized that I would not go free yet.
I spent many months in the pre-trial detention center until the trial of me and dozens of other residents of Brest started on May 21, 2021. We were accused of violence, pogroms, damaging city property and police cars. The accusations were unsubstantiated, there was no serious evidence, and the main witnesses — the injured policemen — were classified by the “witness protection” program — nobody saw them at all. These unidentified people complained of abrasions, forced sick leave, and so on.
One of the “injured” law enforcers reported that the actions of the protesters made him feel afraid! These trials were like a circus. Only we were not laughing because of the accusations and impending sentences. I was taken to the trials, driven and brought back like a terrorist: with my hands twisted in handcuffs and face down. The handcuffs were unlocked only in the courtroom itself. For comparison, at the same time I was attending my court hearings accused of murder and rape — they went to the courthouse full-length and without handcuffs.
As a result of all the court hearings, I was given 4 years in prison without proving anything of what I was accused of!
My journey through prisons over the years has been an ordeal. I have never met so much lawlessness, lawlessness and torture in my life as I have during this time. But at the same time, I met a lot of good people! And I myself tried to remain a human being in these brutal conditions in which many of us found ourselves. We supported each other and believed in victory. For my beliefs and keen sense of justice I often found myself in a punishment cell: I spent more than 113 days in a punishment cell.
A SHIZO (punitive isolation cell) is a room for prisoners where conditions are much harsher than usual. Prisoners in the SHIZO are deprived of many privileges, such as transfers, visits and walks, and are often subjected to increased physical and psychological pressure.
BYSOL Note
These trials had a very strong impact on my health, although before prison I had no complaints about it. I told about the time I spent in prison in an interview with Sergei Petrukhin on the channel “Narodny Reporter” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu6udHkcQvY.
On March 9, 2024, I was released. I was so eager to just breathe fresh air, hug my loved ones and start living again. But it was too soon to rejoice. A few weeks after my release I found out that a new criminal case was opened against me under Article 342 (Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order). There was neither sense nor strength to understand what I was accused of. I could not risk my freedom again, and with the help of the BYSOL team I had to urgently leave Belarus.
I was neither morally nor financially ready for the move. I managed to pack only a small backpack with documents and a change of clothes. At the time of evacuation I did not even have a visa. I ended up in Poland and applied for international protection, but without legalization I can't find a good job yet.
For the first time I am staying in a shelter. However, this is temporary accommodation. I need to learn Polish so that by the time I get the legalization papers I can find a decent job. And banally, there are no simple household items left at home. When I left, I couldn't take many things with me.
All the time I was in prison, I kept thinking that if I endured everything and got out, I would be able to count on the support of Belarusians. I realize that it is not easy for many people in emigration now, so I will be grateful for any small help.
How much is needed?
€4000
€1600 — for rent (for 4 months)
€1000 — to pay for courses (I want to learn Polish and finish IT courses — before detention such courses were paid, but for 4 years the payment burned out)
€600 — for food and living expenses for the first time
€500 — to buy clothes and basic necessities
€300 — for documents (for legalization I will have to travel to Warsaw from another city, I would also like to confirm my car mechanic's diploma).