Freed Belarusian Political Prisoner Finds Fragile Hope in Poland After 20-Year Sentence
Galina Derbysh, a former political prisoner in Belarus, has been released after serving part of a 20-year sentence. She arrived in Białystok, Poland, with little more than a single suitcase. Her freedom came following negotiations between Minsk and Washington, ending a long and harsh imprisonment.
Derbysh was convicted in the so-called Autukhovich case, a politically charged prosecution linked to Belarus's crackdown on dissent. Since the 2020 protests, the government under Alexander Lukashenko has intensified repression, labelling opposition groups as extremist and shutting down independent media. Mass arrests and unmet demands for prisoner releases have marked this period of heightened state control.
During her time in a Belarusian penal colony, Derbysh suffered from untreated medical issues, including a deteriorating dental bridge and chronic sinusitis. Her health worsened to the point of a life-threatening infection, which was only addressed after she was transferred to Warsaw for emergency treatment.
Now free, Derbysh struggles with deep fear and distrust of people, a lasting effect of her imprisonment. She finds solace in nature, gardening, and the company of animals rather than humans. Volunteering occupies her time—she sews pet beds and prepares meals for the homeless. Despite her trauma, she still feels a strong longing for her homeland.
Her past also includes a near-fatal motorcycle accident at 22, an experience that stayed with her long before her imprisonment. The years behind bars have left her wary, but small acts of kindness and quiet routines now shape her days.
Derbysh's release marks the end of a long ordeal, though her physical and emotional scars remain. She continues to rebuild her life in Poland, relying on volunteer work and the comfort of animals. The broader political climate in Belarus, however, shows no signs of easing, with repression still targeting dissenters.
