I In December 2025, 143 Belarusian political prisoners were released. Finally. Thanks to American diplomacy, 123 of them were released from prison in exchange for a partial lifting of sanctions. Another 20 prisoners were released through pardons – whether Belarus‘ President Alexander Lukashenko received something in return for this is unknown.
It is, as they say, a tearful celebration: Other people continue to be arrested and more than 1,100 people are still in custody awaiting politically motivated trials. And yet it is a celebration.
All 123 people from the former group were forcibly expelled from Belarus. Most of them first came to Ukraine, where they had to regularly go to shelters because of the constant threat of shelling. They were then brought to the European Union, initially to Poland.
We, the Belarusian dissidents and communities in exile, have a strong will to help these people.
To help those released, 123,000 euros had to be collected. It was done within three hours.
When they were brought to Warsaw from Ukraine, they were welcomed with food and doctors and psychologists looked after them. Even before the exact number of those released was known, he announced Bysol-Fonds a fundraiser so that 1,000 euros could be paid out to everyone who was released from prison. To do this, 123,000 euros had to be collected, which was achieved in less than three hours.
A success. And proof of how quickly we can act in our community, that we are always vigilant and that we react quickly to changes. If necessary, we are ready immediately. Previously, we had placed too much hope in opposition leaders and political structures in exile. But now we understand: you have to organize yourself. Every vote, every cent and every action counts.
In a social media chat used to coordinate help in Warsaw, I get an impression of how this large volunteer structure works. The helpers visit the hotels where many of the released people are staying. For example, a woman who has been discharged is given a soft cervical collar, and a man is given a knee brace.
I want to celebrate this solidarity
This is a solidarity that I want to celebrate: Belarusians who were once in prison are helping Belarusians who are now freed from prison. Volunteers in Warsaw accompany the released people to the doctor. Care is also organized quickly: appointments in the hairdressing salon, for pedicures or massages are offered free of charge or at a merely symbolic price.
The university lecturer Olga Filatchenkovawho was imprisoned for more than two years for supporting student protests, made small Christmas trees as gifts. Former political prisoners take on the care of those recently released and help them get along abroad.
That’s a lot, but still not enough. Not because those helping do not do enough, but because nothing will ever be enough. No care or help can undo what was unjustifiably done to these people in torture chambers for several years. But thanks to solidarity and diverse and rapid support, the personal suffering of each individual victim of repression can be made a little more bearable.
Nasta Zakharevich is a Belarusian journalist living in exile in Latvia. She was a participant in one Eastern Europe workshops by the taz Panter Foundation.
From Russian by Tigran Petrosyan.
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