How Belarus dissidents in exile abroad are pursued and threatened

The dissidents who fled the rule of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus spoke about the threats against them and their relatives at home.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Belarus have left their country since the brutal campaign campaign against widespread opposition protests in 2020, after Lukashenko, 70, claimed to win the presidential elections that were widely convicted as forged.

Among the exiles were journalist Tatsana Ashorkvich, 26, who continued to write about events in Belarus. Then, earlier this year, she discovered that the door of her apartment in the capital, Minsk, was closed with construction foam.

I immediately guessed who may be responsible. She decided to confront one of her followers on Instagram, who sent her over and over again with unwanted compliments and views about the intercourse movement and the press in exile.

“If there are criminal cases [against me]She said, “Just say that, I have nothing to do with this apartment – other people live there. Why are you doing this?”

The man immediately changed his accent to one more formal, saying that criminal cases were not his responsibility, but he could ask the relevant administration.

Then he submitted a request: Can, in exchange for help, share information about the Belarusians who are fighting for Ukraine, especially since she wrote about it before?

Ashurkevich.

In Belarus itself, tens of thousands of people have been arrested in the past five years for political reasons, according to the Viasna Human Rights Group.

But hundreds of critics of the 31 -year -old Lukashenko base faced persecution abroad.

The government media often accuses Lukashenko and Belarusia, opposition activists of “betraying” the country and planning a coup with the help of the West. The authorities justified targeting activists abroad, on the pretext that they are trying to inflict national security and overthrow the government.

Many people have spoken to the BBC about messages and phone calls, sometimes it looks harmless, and sometimes with veiled threats – or promises with hunting.

Anna Krasolina, 55, often received, became used to placing her phone in the flight before going to bed.

“I can see who is dealing with me – he is two people. Or perhaps the same size using different accounts,” she says.

It is convinced that the authorities are behind this. Mrs. Krasolina is working as a press secretary of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, an opposition leader whom many believe have won the 2020 elections, who are now living in exile.

Both women in Belarus were sentenced to 11 and 15 years, respectively, in the trials held in the absence. The fees included preparing a coup and management of an extremist organization.

Since such trials against exiled political opponents were possible under a decree issued by Lukashenko in 2022, more than 200 cases were opened, according to Viasna, where last year witnessed a record number.

This allows the authorities to raid the accused’s homes and harass their relatives.

Critics are recognized by photographs and videos that were held in opposition gatherings abroad.

Mrs. Krasolina says that many of them have now stopped participating in it, for fear of their loved ones who stay in Belarus.

Many people in the BBC spoke about reporting their relatives visiting by the authorities.

One of them says: “It is terrifying when you cannot help them. You can’t return. You cannot support them,” one of them says.

Nothing will record or even reveal any details that are not concerned that their families may be hurt.

Their concerns are not without foundation. Artem Lebedko, 39, who works in real estate, is serving a three and a half years imprisonment for “extremism financing”.

He never spoke in public places, but his father was an opposition politician who lived in exile.

Journalist and analyst Hanna Liopakova says that breaking the relations between the Belarus who fled and those behind them as a deliberate strategy by the Lukashenko government.

“Even if someone in Belarus understands everything, they will think three times before speaking to a” terrorist “, referring to the list of” extremists and terrorists “that the authorities fill in the names of their critics,” she says.

BBC sent a request to comment on the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, but she did not receive a response by publishing time.

She says that some relatives of Liubakova also received visits of security services, and the property registered in their name was seized.

Everyone spoke to the BBC believe that the Belarusian authorities seek to exert the maximum pressure on those who left to crush all the opposition, wherever they are.

Hanna Liopakova believes that the persecution of dissidents stems from personal revenge in Lukashenko for the protests for the year 2020: “He wants to feel insecure even outside, so that we know that we are watching.”

One country has proven that it is not particularly safe for the Belarusian exiles is Russia. According to the authorities in Minsk, in 2022 alone, Russia has handed over 16 people accused of “extremist crimes”, a charge that is usually associated with Lukashenko critics.

“The roads use by the Belarusian security forces are very similar to those in the Soviet KGB, which were just updated with modern technology,” says André Sterezhahak, head of the Pissol team, a group that supports Belarusian activists.

He adds that the threat of messages or bonuses for cooperation may not work on everyone. But by throwing a wide network, the authorities may obtain a few who agree to share some useful information.

Strizhak calls the regime’s efforts to search for dissidents abroad as a “war of depletion” that leaves many activists exhausting and want to continue their lives.

“We are doing our best to survive, but every year, it takes more and more effort.”