Fleeing from Alexander Lukashenko's oppressive regime, many Belarusian dissidents now living abroad confront a grim reality of intimidation and threats from Belarusian authorities. Since the start of severe crackdowns following the controversial 2020 presidential elections, which many deemed fraudulent, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have sought refuge in foreign lands. Among them is journalist Tatsiana Ashurkevich, who was recently shocked to find her apartment door in Minsk sealed shut with construction foam, a clear threat meant to silence her continuing criticism of the regime.
Experiencing threats firsthand, Ashurkevich bravely confronted an individual on social media who had been relentlessly messaging her. Despite his insistence that he could help her with her issues in exchange for information on Belarusian fighters in Ukraine, she saw through the pretense and blocked him. The situation reflects the growing desperation of dissidents who continue to voice their opposition to Lukashenko's government, now facing persecution even after leaving their homeland.
The human rights group Viasna reports that thousands of political prisoners have been arrested in Belarus, with the regime going as far as to target those who have fled. Authorities often disregard international concerns, framing their actions as necessary for national security. Dissidents recount receiving threatening messages and phone calls from accounts believed to be linked to the state, with one, Anna Krasulina, revealing that she regularly silences her phone at night due to fear of these communications.
Under new laws implemented in 2022, Belarusian authorities have initiated over 200 cases against exiled political opponents, allowing for harassment of their families back home. Critics express their anxiety about participating in protests abroad, concerned that their loved ones could be punished for their activism. One activist's father was imprisoned simply for being related to an exiled critic, an indication of the regime's tactic to sever connections between dissidents and their families.
With their fears compounded by an atmosphere of paranoia, many dissidents feel a chilling sense of vulnerability, with journalist and analyst Hanna Liubakova stating that Lukashenko's reign can be characterized by "maximum pressure." She emphasizes that the regime wants exiles to live in fear, aware they are under surveillance even in foreign countries.
Russia has become a particularly perilous refuge for dissidents, with several being extradited back to Belarus on accusations of extremism in 2022. The chilling parallels drawn with KGB tactics by experts like Andrei Strizhak highlight the concerning continuity of oppressive surveillance techniques. The regime’s campaign against dissidents abroad is viewed as a “war of attrition,” leaving advocates weary and yearning for freedom from constant threats, even as they strive to remain resilient.
