"They Came at Me With Machine Guns, as if I Were Some Global Mafia Boss" — A Belarusian's Story of Being Forced to Flee His Country

We continue introducing you to the residents of our shelter. Today Vadzim (name changed for safety reasons) shares his story. For many years he lived an ordinary life — work, home, family. After a violent detention and political persecution in 2026, he had to urgently leave Belarus.

He talks about the fear he felt after his detention, his first days in safety, the care shown by fellow Belarusians, and why he now deeply values the simplest things — silence, trees, sunrises, and the chance to plan a future.

— Tell us your story: about life in Belarus, the persecution, how you ended up in Lithuania?

I'm the most ordinary of all ordinary Belarusians. A typical story: work, home, family.

I was never "for" the first and, so far, only president of Belarus. But I think that in the first few years of his rule he did some positive things for the country. I remember well the difficult years before the collapse of the USSR and the start of an independent Belarus: ration coupons for food, empty shelves, rampant crime on the roads, and more. He successfully dealt with that at the time. And if he had honestly stepped down in line with the Constitution when the time came, he would have remained a respected man.

But he didn't step down — he seized power illegally and turned the state into the property of one man. Since then, many active people have suffered, industry and science have been destroyed, and the country has fallen behind the rest of the world.

Of course, 2020 became a turning point for many Belarusians (the year of mass protests following a disputed presidential election). Many, one way or another, expressed their civic position. Myself included — I wrote comments on Telegram, YouTube, and other platforms.

In 2026, this unexpectedly came back to me — in the form of a violent and, in my view, entirely unlawful detention.

A crowd of riot police (АМАП/OMON-style special police units) in balaclavas and body armor, armed, attacked me as if I were some kind of top-level global mafia figure. They broke in, handcuffed me, and carried out unlawful searches at my home and workplace. They took my phone and demanded I confess to things I hadn't done. Otherwise, they threatened to go after my loved ones.

I realized they wouldn't leave me alone after that. As soon as they finished examining my phone, I would be arrested, a case would be fabricated against me, and I'd be given whatever sentence they could "rack up." I've heard many similar stories among friends and acquaintances.

In essence, my constitutional and civil right to freedom of speech and expression had been violated.

I found out that I was banned from leaving the country. So simply packing my things and leaving freely wasn't an option.

At that point, I decided to reach out to an evacuation team. They worked very precisely, professionally, and quickly. I was helped every step of the way.

I'm grateful to everyone who took part in my evacuation!

— How did you end up at the foundation's shelter?

In Lithuania, I was helped with temporary housing at the shelter, and they're also helping me with my residence permit application (a temporary residence permit, ВНЖ, required to legally stay in Lithuania).

Incredible support at every step. I honestly didn't expect it!

— What is your life like at the shelter?

After several days on the road, I arrived at the shelter, where my fellow countrymen met me and made dinner for me. It was simply unbelievable!

I've only been here a few days, but all the residents are very welcoming — they're showing me around, telling me how things work here, giving me lots of advice. The atmosphere here is warm and good. They even offered me psychological support.

— What helps you recover the most right now?

The quiet around me, plans for the future, and conversations with the other shelter residents.

There's a small corner of nature here — squirrels, the sound of trees. Just the other morning, a fox ran past the fence.

I appreciate the simple things: the sky, sunrise, sunset, the horizon line, the sound of rain. All of it helps.

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

You're doing something enormous — helping people who found themselves in a difficult situation after facing repression back home.

Saving and supporting people like this means so much. I believe it will all come back to you as good. I'm sincerely, deeply grateful to you for your help!

— What do you dream about today?

What do I dream about...

In the short term — settling into my new life in a free Europe as quickly as possible. I want to reunite with my family here.

I want a future for my children in a free country with democratic laws. I want to work, help develop the economy, and be useful to society. I'm a professional in my field and can do a lot.

In the near future, I plan to contribute what I can to the fund that helps people like me.

And I very much hope that Lukashenka's dictatorial regime collapses soon. Then I'll be able to return to a free Belarus — a country where every person has the right to freedom, security, and a dignified life.

🤍 Our shelter is a temporary safe home for Belarusians who were forced to leave the country because of repression.

If you'd like to help people starting their lives over in emigration, please support our shelter: https://www.stranafund.org/kampanii/shelter-campaign

Thank you!