It’s not only criminalised to express any form of dissent in Belarus. Showing solidarity with political prisoners is also punishable, even when it comes from their parents.
In the following three examples, you will learn how this form of repression looks like in the case of anarchists.
Arresting relatives to put pressure on exiled activists
On 26 November 2021, armed police raided the home of Gayane Akhtiyan, the mother of exiled anarchist Roman Halilov. The woman was filmed standing on her knees and then allegedly admitting to participation in protests. The video was circulated by cops in a Telegram channel named Anarchists of Belarus with a caption “Parents held responsible for their children” with a clear intention to put pressure on Roman Halilov.
Gayane was put in detention and later sentenced to restricted freedom in an open-type facility. She eventually left Belarus.
Convicting relatives for supporting their imprisoned sons
Tatiana Frantskevich is the mother of Aleksandr Frantskevich who is sentenced to 18 years of prison as a leader of an “international anarchist criminal organisation”. On 19 July 2024, she and her sister were detained and later sentenced to 3 years and 3 months in prison for “aiding extremist activity”.
Currently, nobody can support Aleksandr as only close relatives are allowed to send care packages, make visits and exchange correspondence with prisoners in Belarus.
Putting relatives on international wanted list
In October 2025, the wanted persons list maintained by the Russian Federation was updated to include Anastasia Yemelyanova, the mother of Nikita Yemelyanov, an anarchist who has been in prison since 2019 and whose original sentence has been prolonged twice.
Nikita’s mother now also lives in exile.
These cases are not isolated episodes and this type of pressure is not only applied to anarchists. Five years after the 2020 uprising, Belarus still keeps thousands of people in prison and convicts a hundred more every month.
Support imprisoned Belarusian anarchists by donating to ABC-Belarus https://abc-belarus.org/donate
It’s heartbreaking to see how families are targeted in Belarus simply for supporting their loved ones. The use of armed police to intimidate parents is a clear example of the oppressive tactics at play. worth a look
It’s disturbing to see how the state employs such extreme measures against family members of anarchist prisoners. The raid mentioned highlights a terrifying reality where even a parent’s support can attract brutal repression. This cycle of fear and intimidation must end for true solidarity to flourish. this one
The arrest of relatives to pressure exiled activists is a chilling tactic that shows the lengths the Belarusian government will go to stifle dissent. It’s incredibly unfair that parents must face such brutal reprisals simply for expressing love and support for their children. This kind of state-sanctioned intimidation should not be tolerated. interesting find
The situation described about armed police raiding the homes of parents is deeply troubling. This kind of state-sponsored intimidation not only punishes dissent but also seeks to silence those who express solidarity. It’s a chilling reminder of the lengths authorities will go to maintain control and instill fear in families. We must not overlook these human rights violations. interesting find
The tactics used against the parents of anarchist prisoners in Belarus are chilling. The fact that showing solidarity can lead to arrest is a testament to the oppressive atmosphere prevailing in the country. It’s profoundly unjust that families must endure such consequences for merely standing by their loved ones. This kind of repression only fuels resistance and highlights the urgent need for international attention. interesting find
The examples provided in this article are chilling reminders of how authoritarian regimes weaponize familial relationships to silence dissent. The case of parents being targeted simply for expressing solidarity with their children highlights the extent of the state’s repressive tactics. It’s a profound injustice that must not go unnoticed. good resource
The example of armed police raiding the homes of parents is a chilling reminder of how oppressive regimes will go to lengths to silence any form of dissent. It’s infuriating that showing support for a loved one can lead to such severe repercussions. This highlights the urgent need for international awareness and action against these human rights violations. check this out