Belarus's Exiled Opposition Faces Intimidation Abroad

Over half a million Belarusians have fled authoritarian rule, but even abroad they face threats and intimidation. President Alexander Lukashenko's government is intensifying its crackdown on dissidents outside Belarus. Arrest warrants, cyberattacks, and extradition requests target the exiled community, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

Over half a million Belarusians have fled their homeland under President Alexander Lukashenko's oppressive regime, yet many find themselves targeted even abroad. Arrest warrants, extradition requests, and cyberattacks are some of the methods used to intimidate the diaspora.

Dziana Maiseyenka, a 28-year-old dissident, experienced firsthand the reach of the Belarusian authorities when she was detained at the Armenia-Georgia border. She avoided extradition only through the intervention of opposition leaders.

As Lukashenko seeks his seventh term, opposition figures in exile, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski and leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, warn of increased repression. Exiled Belarusians face surveillance, threats, and the risk of extradition, driving fears among the community.

(With inputs from agencies.)