During the latest raid by law enforcement, 292 people were affected. How are people punished for supporting political prisoners? What fines did those who helped and got help receive? And is it possible to get help now? These questions were answered by the head of the “A Country to Live in” foundation Volha Zazulinskaya.
The Dissidentby initiative provided data on 292 affected individuals on their channel.
- Criminal cases have been initiated against 31 individuals (16 of whom are in pre-trial detention).
- At least 146 individuals were subjected to administrative penalties, resulting in fines of 1325 base amounts or 15,000 euros.
- It is unknown what punishment 115 individuals received.
This is the result of a wave of searches and arrests that swept the country on January 23 and 24. The KGB is pursue down the relatives of political prisoners and those who support them.
Of course, we all have a question - what now? Have people really been left alone with these fines? Especially alarming is the figure voiced by Dissidentby: 249,875.19 Belarusian rubles or 71,000 euros. The courts ruled to compensate humanitarian aid for this amount.
There are two types of so-called fines [received by the victims of the recent raids - ed.], says Volha Zazulinskaya.
- Fine for administrative offense. This is a fine for using foreign gratuitous aid. The amount of such fines is up to 30 base amounts."Our colleagues from BY_Help intend to compensate for such fines. To apply for this type of compensation, you need to go through the appeals procedure. And then apply for assistance through the form," Volha Zazulinskaya explains.
- Payment of the full value of food baskets in favor of the state.
Unfortunately, no organization has the opportunity to repay such amounts, says Volha Zazulinskaya. "The only thing that can be recommended in this case is to seek installment payment and further seek a solution with our assistance. However, I repeat, we do not have the resources today to pay off insane amounts. And then, as soon as the regime realizes that their trap has worked, this will add new variations of how conditional financing for the regime can be obtained through the families of political prisoners."
Is it possible to receive assistance now, after the raids?
As for assistance programs for the families of political prisoners within the country - all organizations are operating as usual, safety and verification protocols for applications have been revised, says the head of "A Country to Live in" foundation. "We cannot talk aloud about all the tricks and nuances, but today we already see traps that the KGB is trying to set for organizations. We see and deal with this every day, finding solutions and responding to challenges."
Are there safe ways to support political prisoners while you are inside the country?
"You can always support the family of a political prisoner. If a person is inside the country and wants to support the relatives of a political prisoner, the first thing to do is to establish contact with the family. There is no need to publicize such things, everything must be done with utmost understanding of responsibility and risks. There is different assistance that can be offered to families. For example, assistance in employment. Or you can buy necessary clothes and shoes for the children. You can invite the family of a political prisoner to spend the weekend at the dacha together or pay for a hobby for the child of a political prisoner. All this helps to relieve the financial burden from the family.
Sometimes you just need to support with kind words or accompany the elderly mother of a political prisoner to the clinic. All we need to remember is that there is no small help. Every action is better than inaction and this also applies to charity work and humanitarian aid."Friends, if it is safe for you, please support the political prisoners and all Belarusians who suffer from the actions of the criminal regime."
Friends, if it is safe for you, please support political prisoners and all Belarusians who suffer from the actions of the criminal regime.
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