After taking part in the 2020 protests, Alexander was sentenced to three years of confinement in an open correctional facility. He appealed the sentence and, while waiting for the appeal to be heard, left for Georgia to avoid imprisonment. He lived and worked there for five years until problems with his documents led to his deportation. Now he urgently needs support.
I lived in Georgia until May 2026. I had planned to apply there for a humanitarian visa to Poland because my passport was about to expire. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
I was afraid to leave Georgia for a visa run through Turkey because I thought I might not be allowed back into the country. As a result, I overstayed my permitted stay by seven days, and the migration police came for me.
I explained that I could not return to Belarus for political reasons. They asked where it would be safe for me to go. They called a friend whose phone number I had written on my arm, and he bought me a ticket to Armenia. The officers prepared the deportation documents and escorted me to the airport in handcuffs.
That is how I arrived in Yerevan on June 1.
Once there, I contacted the Polish embassy. They gave me an appointment, but by the time it took place, there were less than three months left before my passport expired, so they were unable to accept my application.
I am currently in Armenia and still do not know how my situation will develop. I am trying to find any possible way to reach Europe and apply for international protection there.
My situation is made even more difficult by the fact that I have almost no opportunity to work and earn a living. At the moment, I live about 60 kilometers from Yerevan in a small studio apartment that I was able to rent through friends. From time to time, friends help me by sending money, and I still have access to my Georgian bank card, but my financial situation has become critical.
On top of that, I recently broke my phone and had to borrow money to repair it. My phone is essential – for communication, handling documents, searching for relocation options, and dealing with all the practical issues I face every day.
If I manage to get to Poland, the first few months will be especially difficult. Without a visa and the necessary documents, I will most likely be unable to find legal employment immediately. I will need financial support to repay my debts, pay for accommodation, and cover basic living expenses until I can get back on my feet.
If I am unable to reach Poland, I will have to move to Yerevan, find a job there, and rent an apartment. That means paying rent in advance and covering the first and last month's payment. At the same time, I will need to apply for international protection in Armenia, and it is still unclear whether I will be allowed to work while my application is being processed.
That is why I am grateful for any support. Even a small donation will help me cover the essentials – repairing my phone, transportation, accommodation, and food.
Thank you to everyone who supports me during this difficult time.
Fundraising goal
€2700
€1500 (estimated) – accommodation for the first few months in a new country
€900 – essential living expenses
€300 – repairing or replacing my phone