Belarusians who fled repression face new hurdles as they try to rebuild their lives abroad

Andrei, a 29-year-old computer programmer who fled to Germany from Belarus two years ago amid a harsh crackdown on political dissent, is facing a serious dilemma. “I have a terrible choice to make: become an illegal immigrant in Germany, or return to Belarus, where I will probably be arrested,” said Andrei, who asked to be identified only by his first name because he fears for his safety. Authorities in Minsk, he told The Associated Press, “managed to turn the life of Belarusians into hell even here.”