"I want to see my children more often": the story of a resident of our shelter

He spent more than five years behind bars, and after his release he was forced to leave Belarus illegally because the persecution did not stop. Today he lives in our shelter in Lithuania, keeps in touch with his family, and dreams of being able to see his children more often. We talked about imprisonment, his life now, and his plans for the future.

We are not naming our interviewee for security reasons.

Tell us a little about yourself: how did you live in Belarus, what did you go through, and how did you end up in Lithuania?

In October 2020, I was detained for being the administrator of the Telegram channel "Army with the People" [Армия с народом]. In total, I spent almost a year behind bars, and in May 2021 I was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

A year and a half later, in January 2023, I was convicted again, under Article 411 of the Criminal Code [disobedience to the demands of the prison administration]. Nine more months were added to my sentence.

I served my full sentence and was released in July 2026. But the persecution did not end there. I was placed under preventive supervision [a form of restrictive police oversight after release], and I was immediately warned that I would be allowed to remain (nominally) free for six months at most.

So I decided to leave Belarus. I had to cross the border illegally.

What is your life like in the shelter?

Life here is, you could say, ordinary. I would compare it to a good dormitory, where there are certain rules and everyone tries to get along.

Right now we have quite a good group. We cook together, keep the place tidy, and sometimes in the evenings we get together and simply talk about all kinds of things.

What helps you recover most right now?

First of all, of course, my family. The support and constant contact with my loved ones help a lot.

Assistance programs matter greatly too: temporary housing, including shelters like this one, medical support, and the chance to talk to a psychologist.

What would you like to say to the people who help the foundation and support the shelter?

First of all, I want to say a big thank you for what you are doing. It is very important for people who find themselves in a situation like mine.

And of course, I want to ask you to keep supporting the foundation and the shelter. Unfortunately, many more people will be forced to flee Belarus, and many of them will badly need this kind of help.

What do you dream about today?

It is actually very simple. I want to get my documents as soon as possible so that I can travel to see my children in Poland.

I want to see them more often and spend more time with them.

🤍 The shelter of the Charitable foundation "A Country to Live in" helps former political prisoners and repressed Belarusians take their first steps after release and forced emigration.

With your support, people get safe housing and a chance to start their lives anew.

Support our shelter 👉 https://www.stranafund.org/kampanii/shelter-campaign

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