Polish bank denies Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya account over expired passport

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was denied a bank account in Poland due to her expired Belarusian passport, she announced on the independent Belarusian radio station Euroradio. Tsikhanouskaya explained that she encountered difficulties with document processing and was likewise denied a bank account in Poland after relocating, emphasizing her status as an ordinary citizen facing similar challenges.

She indicated her intention to pursue a bank account at another institution. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that Poland's refusal to address the issues faced by Belarusians in legalizing their status and gaining access to banking services is not intentional, but rather slow and not a top priority. She acknowledged Poland's internal problems and noted that both Ukrainians and Belarusians face difficulties.

In September 2023, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a decree that suspended the issuance and renewal of Belarusian passports abroad, mandating citizens to obtain them within Belarus. This has left some Belarusians abroad unable to renew their documents, as returning home could result in criminal charges. Several countries, such as Spain, have opted to recognize expired Belarusian passports, while other nations have yet to follow suit.

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