Despite escaping the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, many dissidents living in exile find themselves under threat and intimidation. The brutal crackdown following the disputed 2020 presidential election, which sparked mass protests, led to hundreds of thousands fleeing the country. Among them, journalist Tatsiana Ashurkevich has faced harassment even across borders. After a strange incident at her sealed Minsk apartment, she confronted a follower who asked for sensitive information about Belarusians fighting in Ukraine.
As a warning sign, many exiled activists and their families continue to receive unsettling messages and phone calls. Anna Krasulina, press secretary for opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, regularly puts her phone in airplane mode to avoid harassment linked to the Belarusian government. With a rise in legal actions against dissidents abroad since a 2022 decree, families in Belarus have been contacted by authorities.
Critics report a deliberate government strategy to sever ties between exiles and their loved ones still in Belarus. Journalist Hanna Liubakova reflects this strategy, noting the psychological toll it takes on those who cannot safely speak out. Arrests and intimidation tactics mirror the oppressive methods of the Soviet KGB, as described by activists like Andrei Strizhak.
Despite the risks, many dissidents remain committed to their cause, although the psychological strain grows heavier with each passing year. The quest for safety in exile turns into a persistent fight against an unyielding regime.
As a warning sign, many exiled activists and their families continue to receive unsettling messages and phone calls. Anna Krasulina, press secretary for opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, regularly puts her phone in airplane mode to avoid harassment linked to the Belarusian government. With a rise in legal actions against dissidents abroad since a 2022 decree, families in Belarus have been contacted by authorities.
Critics report a deliberate government strategy to sever ties between exiles and their loved ones still in Belarus. Journalist Hanna Liubakova reflects this strategy, noting the psychological toll it takes on those who cannot safely speak out. Arrests and intimidation tactics mirror the oppressive methods of the Soviet KGB, as described by activists like Andrei Strizhak.
Despite the risks, many dissidents remain committed to their cause, although the psychological strain grows heavier with each passing year. The quest for safety in exile turns into a persistent fight against an unyielding regime.
