From tech pioneers to ‘extremists’: Belarusian founders face exile and statelessness

In 2013 Tatyana Marynich and Anastasia Kamilkova opened the doors HopefullyBelarus, a starting center in Minsk, will continue to launch the most popular technological success stories in Eastern Europe. A decade later, the Belarusian authorities were sentenced to 23 years in prison. Their property was seized. Their work was declared “extremist”. Marynich’s passport has completed and terminated and canceled citizenship in Spain.

Crimes? Lukashenko regime in an independent, entrepreneurial future, was considered dangerous for the championship of entrepreneurship in a country where the state industry is usually dominated.

“What started the innovation as in an attempt to be silent has become a complete criminalization of independent work,” said Marynich Techcrunch.

Imaguru was not the first start of Belarus. This was the center of gravity of the country’s technological ecosystem. The accelerator and cooperation helped to invest more than 300 starting and more than $ 100 million for companies arising from its programs. Success as MSSQRD (Obtained by Facebook) and Prisma (obtained by SnapChat) can be followed by the better the future, you can watch young people and young people to the early hackatones.

“The Venture community in Belarus was the main focus point,” he said Max GurvitsIn Bulgaria, Vitosha is an early mentor in the general partner and Imaguru in Venture partners. “Talent, investors, angels, brought together the most important programs, this was always pleased to go there.”

Another VC is founded in the United States Marvin Liao Rolling Stock Diaspora.vc, agrees. “They were super professional and really passionate,” said Techcrunch. “Imagur was the first central place in Belarus, the initiators of initiators and technological entrepreneurs who wanted. Tanya and Nasta, the most accurate sense was community builders.”

Their effect was not only economic. The late husband of the morniche, Michael MarynichHe paid a high price for the years of his obedience.

Former ambassador and minister has been arrested since 2006-2006 since 2006 after 2006 since 2004-2006 in the general elections. Numerous strokes in the prison have hit the International Finance Corporation to leave the International Finance Corporation within the World Bank and launch its enterprise.

“I was forced to entrepreneurship,” he said. “Because I believe the same democratic values, not just for economic democratic values, because it sacrificed his husband’s health.”

“If the policy is unsuccessful,” said, “Then you must create your own future. Entrepreneurs are free thinkers and free people are a question.”

Imagined this belief for Lukashenko mode.

When independence is different

After the 2020 elections seen as wide as fakeMass protests erupted in Belarus. Imaguru decided not only to entrepreneurs, but also civil society groups, NGOs and opposition figures.

Marynich joined Coordination CouncilAn official opposition body headed by opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. It was the last straw for Lukashenko mode.

“He signed a statement that he wanted to hold free elections,” Gurvits said.

By 2021, political pressure became intolerable. Imaguru’s lease was forcibly terminated by the government. TechCrunch was reported this time, Masked officials raid their offices.

Until 2023, KGB, even an extremist formation that exchanged messages for a crime punished in Belarus. The former director was arrested. Family members of Imaguru workers were interrogated in exile. Their website was blocked in many countries. The assets had been frozen. And on December 2, two co-troops were sentenced to prison.

That day, Marynich’s Belarus passport ended. By the 2023 executive order of Lukashenko, the Belarusian Embassies and the Belarusian embassies can no longer afford or update the opposition abroad in foreign countries.

“I’m a non-citizenship,” said Marynich. “I have European residence permits, but I can’t apply for citizenship without a valid passport. I can’t leave Spain. I can’t open a bank account.”

Despite the situations, both founders continue their responsibilities. Imaguru now participates in the centers of Warsaw and Madrid with the support of European institutions. The team has also launched an entrepreneurial campaign that is an online human rights and rally support application.

“They really love their countries,” said Liao. “Now they can never go back. This is heartwarming. Both have written recommended letters for both international programs. These are good people and this is the wrongdoer.”

The test of global values

While Imaguru received institutional support in Poland and Lithuania, the Spanish government has not yet officially responded to the appeals. Marynich can help the visually impaired slip bureaucratic indifference.

TechCrunch, Secretary of digital and artificial intelligence in Spain María González Veracruz’s office, but did not respond to the time of the publication.

“This is a political pressure,” said Liao. “Democratic governments must do everything they can do to support them.”

Gurbs agree: “Once the minor workers working in Imaguru cannot return to Belarus. This is not only two establishments. About a society deported to believe in innovation and freedom.”

Marynich remains flawless.

“We have set up something beautiful,” he said. “We are now fighting for the right to be available. And we do not give up.”