Фото: facebook.com/asta.asta.5473
Fifteen political prisoners released yesterday and deported from Belarus to Lithuania have received initial assistance. Three of them are heading to Poland, said Dzianis Kuchynski, an adviser to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Teams from Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, the United Transitional Cabinet, Freedom House, “A Country to Live In,” and other human rights organisations gathered key information about the released individuals, including their accommodation preferences, family situations, visa issues for relatives, language skills, and health conditions.
All were provided with mobile phones, clothing, food, and basic necessities. About half of the group moved in with family members or colleagues, while the rest stayed in shelters, with some choosing co-living arrangements.
Today, the group visited the Freedom House office, where they were briefed on the process of obtaining residence permits.
During the meeting, each of the former political prisoners received financial support for initial expenses. Options for long-term accommodation were also discussed.
On Monday, the released individuals will visit Lithuania’s Migration Department to submit documents. By agreement with Lithuanian authorities, a separate service window will be allocated for them.
Three of the released — Valiantsin Stefanovic, Katsiaryna Andreyev), and Nasta Loika — are heading to Poland.
On March 19, following talks between Alyaksandr Lukashenka and U.S. Special Envoy John Coale, 250 political prisoners were released. Fifteen of them were deported to Lithuania without passports, while the others were allowed to remain in Belarus.