Belarusian authorities have begun systematically revoking the passports of political prisoners who were released under pardons and subsequently expelled from the country, according to the human rights center Viasna. One former prisoner, released in September 2025, discovered by chance that his document was no longer valid when he checked his name on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ wanted list. After informing others in a similar situation, it became clear that passports had been revoked for the majority of his group, which consisted of between 20 and 33 people.
Human rights activists warn that those released in December 2025 are facing similar problems. Among them is blogger Dmitry Kozlov, known by the pseudonym “Seryi Kot,” whose passport—valid until 2032—has been revoked. Kozlov noted that he had no issues during a recent pre-flight border check but fears complications during future, more thorough document inspections. Such actions by the authorities indicate a new method of pressure on exiled dissidents, who are left without valid legal identity abroad after their documents are revoked.
