Oleg* – a participant in the 2020 protests, faced political persecution and violence from law enforcers, fled to Poland, where he had to prove to Interpol that he was wanted in his homeland on political grounds. He is now in urgent need of support due to health problems and lack of work.
After his activism in 2020, detention, a stint in the temporary detention center, and beatings by Belarusian law enforcers, Oleg left for Poland in early 2023. After applying for international protection, he received a residence permit, found housing and a job, but for a year he could not live normally because of panic attacks following the detention, the temporary detention center, and the beatings.
Almost a year later, Belarus put him on an international wanted list through Interpol. On January 15, 2024, Polish police came to the activist and informed him that Belarus was demanding his extradition on charges under Part 3 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code (illegal drug trafficking), on the grounds that during his detention in January 2023 he was allegedly found with marijuana. The prosecutor explained to the emigrant that the decision on extradition was up to the court and stated that extradition was impossible.
The Warsaw District Court noted that it was not assessing guilt, but was checking the legal grounds for extradition. The Polish court accepted the prosecutor's arguments and refused Belarus’s request, pointing out the risk of violations of rights and freedoms, the dependence of courts, and restrictions on the right to defense.
Thus, Oleg successfully avoided extradition to Belarus, and the issue of his removal from the international wanted list has already been resolved positively.
Despite the favorable outcome of the Interpol case, Oleg is facing financial difficulties due to health problems, lack of work, and legal costs. He urgently needs support for basic needs: to pay for housing, see a dentist, and obtain a local driver’s license, since he cannot confirm his Belarusian one through the embassy.
*Name changed for security reasons
Fundraising goal
€1500
€500 – dental treatment
€700 – housing rent
€300 – driver’s licence application