Belarusian dissidents who sought refuge abroad after fleeing the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko have recounted harrowing experiences of intimidation and threats aimed at both themselves and their families back home. Since the violent suppression of opposition protests in 2020, which followed a widely disputed presidential election, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have left their country.
Among these exiles is journalist Tatsiana Ashurkevich, 26, whose recent discovery of her flat being sealed shut with construction foam marked a chilling reminder of the regime's reach. Confronted with a follower on social media who suggested she might exchange information about fellow Belarusians fighting for Ukraine for help, Ashurkevich reacted with defiance. Yet her experiences are not unusual among dissidents, who often encounter threats disguised as benign messages from the Belarusian authorities.
Human rights group Viasna reports that in the last five years, tens of thousands have been arrested for political reasons in Belarus. However, the regime's tactics extend beyond its borders, ensnaring those who dare to dissent overseas. Belarusian state media maligns opposition figures as traitors, accusing them of collaborating with foreign governments to undermine national security, thereby justifying their international targeting.
Many in exile, like Anna Krasulina, who supports opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, have grown accustomed to threatening communications. Krasulina, sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, avoids engaging with such threats, determined to protect her family from retribution. The growing pressure has led many dissidents to abstain from public protests abroad, alarmed by the consequences their loved ones might face for their actions.
The regime's strategy appears calculated; a deliberate effort to sever ties between those who have escaped and those who remain in Belarus. Those still within the country are deterred from connecting with exiled activists for fear of being labeled extremists, as noted by analyst Hanna Liubakova. Individuals sharing familial or social connections with dissidents frequently receive visits from the authorities, as the regime endeavors to instill a sense of fear and insecurity among both groups.
The relentless persecution has led to serious consequences for individuals like Artem Lebedko, who is currently serving a prison sentence due to his family ties to opposition politics. As the authorities exploit modern technologies to enhance old Soviet-style surveillance tactics, many dissidents describe the situation as a grueling "war of attrition." Activists like Andrei Strizhak from the support group Bysol emphasize the need for resilience, noting that the pressure exerted by the regime grows heavier with each passing year.
The chilling reality for many Belarusian dissidents in exile remains a constant cloud of unease and fear for their families still living under Lukashenko's regime.
