Belarusian Exiles Under Threat: The Haunting Pursuit of Dissidents Abroad

Following a brutal crackdown in Belarus, many dissidents have fled abroad, only to find themselves pursued by state security and facing threats against their families. The Belarusian regime continues its campaign to suppress opposition, instilling fear in exiles and their loved ones back home.

 

Dissidents who have escaped the oppressive regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus are now revealing the chilling realities of their lives abroad, where the threats never seem to cease. Following the widespread opposition protests of 2020, triggered by widespread allegations of rigged elections, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians sought refuge elsewhere, yet many have found that their past still looms large.

Among these individuals is Tatsiana Ashurkevich, a journalist who bravely continued her work from exile. Earlier this year, she discovered her apartment door in Minsk had been sealed, a clear sign of intimidation she immediately linked to the authorities. Facing harassment online from a follower, who hinted at possible cooperation in exchange for information about her fellow countrymen fighting in Ukraine, she promptly blocked him.

This was only a glimpse into the larger pattern of harassment. Human rights group Viasna reports tens of thousands of political arrests within Belarus, but they're not the only ones suffering: the government intensifies its grip by targeting critics even overseas. Service workers and journalists like Anna Krasulina, who represents Svetlana Tikhanovskaya—another leading opposition figure—often receive threatening messages. Krasulina has had to adopt measures, such as switching her phone to flight mode, to cope with the relentless assaults on her sense of safety.

The regime's strategy is rooted in fear, with more than 200 trials of exiled activists established by a decree in 2022. It allows for the intimidation of dissidents through the harassment of their families who remain in Belarus. Many in exile have chosen to avoid protests, wary of the repercussions their loved ones could face.

Behind this strategy of state-sponsored fear is a deeper motive: the intention to sever ties between exiled Belarusians and their home country, a tactic that deepens the isolation of dissidents like journalist Hanna Liubakova. As tensions rise, the echoes of the past force activists to tread cautiously, acknowledging that any connection to the opposition may endanger their families.

Altered tactics by the Belarusian government bear striking similarities to infamous Soviet KGB methods, as they employ modern means to hunt down critics. Andrei Strizhak, leading an organization that advocates for these activists, noted how the authorities often employ a broad approach to instill fear—hoping to elicit cooperation from some through threats or promises.

Despite the overwhelming odds, exiles remain determined to stand resilient in the face of this ongoing campaign. But as Strizhak indicates, the toll of this "war of attrition" continues to mount, leading many to grapple with exhaustion and the desire for a peaceful life.