The spouses have been subjected to several waves of repression in recent years. Vladimir twice served administrative arrests of 15 days each, and also paid a $500 fine for donations. Nina paid the fine twice — first 800 euros at the initiative of the KGB, then another 500 dollars at the request of the GUBOPiK.
“After the fines and the days, we thought it was all over,” Vladimir says. — But in January 2025, my wife was again summoned for a “conversation” in the GUBOPiK, where they recovered her old correspondences in Telegram. The enforcer said that they could fall under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them), and the legal assessment of the correspondence will be given by the investigator. In the evening they have already called about me”.
After the calls it became clear — there was no way out. “If we hadn't left, we would be sitting right now. Obviously, even another payment of 'fines' would not have helped. The next stage would have been a criminal case,” Vladimir is sure.
It took a few hours to pack. They took the essentials: several changes of clothes and shoes, toothbrushes and a laptop. The next day the family left Vitebsk. A couple of hours before their departure the law enforcers started calling Uladzimir, demanding that he and his wife come to the Main Department of Internal Affairs. The man replied that they would come, but instead, the wife and child immediately left Belarus.
Now the family is in Poland and has applied for international protection. While the process is underway, Vladimir is unable to work, and funds are running low. “We left the country with one backpack,” says Nina. — 'We have always helped others when we could, but now we find ourselves in a situation where we can't cope without your support.
How much is needed?
€2980
€1500 — rent for three months,
€980 for food and daycare for my son,
€500 for clothes and basic household needs.