The recent wave of mass searches, deprivations of property, interrogations and detentions is clearly targeted at the emigrated political elite and the institutions it established. The unlawful measures taken by the regime with regard to dissidents and their loved ones confirm its merciless and brutal nature. These measures are another act of a ruthless strategy to totally throttle democracy in Belarus. Since the rigged presidential election in 2020, thousands of people have been imprisoned and at least 1,500 political prisoners remain in detention. What happened to many of them is still a mystery to their families and friends. The persecutions escalate and target also the clergy.

By strengthening the policy of confrontation with its own society, the regime demonstrates fear and helplessness about Belarusians' protesting against the dictatorship and expressing hope for democratic changes. Escalating the atmosphere of fear and pacifying all signs of freedom is a path towards continued isolation and delegitimization of the authorities in Minsk and, therefore, towards further significant weakening of the Belarusian state's sovereignty.

We constantly call on the Minsk authorities to release all political prisoners and stop repressions against its own society. This is the only way to change Poland's and the democratic world's policy towards Belarus.