In 2020 and 2021, Alena Zharkevich experienced five politically motivated arrests for participating in peaceful protests in Belarus. She suffered inhumane treatment in detention, including a 12-hour interrogation by the KGB and torture by the police. After KGB threatened her and her child, and she was fired from her job, Alena took her son and fled to Ukraine. In February 2022, as Russia attacked Ukraine, she had to move once again with her son, this time to Poland. Witnessing how many Belarusians flee from Lukashenka’s regime and Ukranians fleeing from war, she decided to open an international refugee house, where everyone could seek help. More about Alena’s story – in her in-depth interview.

This interview was made as part of the project Femmoz – Empwerment for women in and from Belarus.