Justice and Human Rights Serbia Project #74381

Protect people from persecution

Project Report | Aug 21, 2026
180days: urgent support for persecuted activists

By Alena Bondareva | Project-manager

Dear Friends and GlobalGiving Community,

As political repression inside Russia intensifies, thousands of peaceful anti-war activists, journalists, and citizens face immediate risks of arrest, torture, and heavy prison sentences. Over the past six months, through our independent efforts and local support, The Ark (Kovcheg) has worked tirelessly to protect those fleeing persecution.

However, we are sharing this report with an urgent truth: to date, our project on GlobalGiving has received $0 in donations. Everything we have accomplished so far was made possible by pushing our resources to the absolute limit. Without donor support on this platform, we will simply be unable to continue providing emergency shelter and legal defense for people in danger.

Here is what we have achieved so far, the lives at stake, and why your immediate support is critical today.

Despite having zero funding on GlobalGiving, our team managed to deliver critical crisis aid over the last 6 months:

1,866 persecuted individuals received free, professional legal consultations.
39 people facing imminent arrest or extradition were provided with free emergency shelter in safe locations across Armenia and Europe.
530 people received psychological aid (373 individual consultations and 21 support groups).
15 activists received official legal support letters for international humanitarian visas and asylum.
Country & relocation guides: we published practical guides for navigating life in Armenia, Serbia, Germany, Georgia, Brazil, and Paraguay, as well as policy advocacy for EU "grey passports."

Real Stories: The People We Strive to Save

1. Anna’s Story: escaping extradition and rejoining her children
(name changed)

Anna , a mother of several children and activist from Novosibirsk, was put on Russia's wanted list for participating in peaceful anti-war rallies. Facing 3 years in prison, she fled to Armenia, where an extradition warrant threatened to send her back into the hands of Russian authorities.

The Ark stepped in: we provided Yana and her family with emergency housing, legal counsel on navigating extradition threats, and legal representation during her detention. Together with partner organizations like inTransit, we helped her secure a French humanitarian visa. Today, Anna and her children are safe in France.

2. Alexander' Story: safety after police brutality
(name changed)

In Kazan, security forces raided the home of 27-year-old Iskander over anti-war comments online. Officers pinned him to the floor in handcuffs and physically assaulted him before interrogating him on charges of "justifying terrorism."

After escaping Russia, Iskander met in person with The Ark’s emergency response coordinator in his new country of asylum to receive legal guidance and safety protocols.

"I didn't know my legal rights. Talking with The Ark reassured me that I am finally safe," Alexander shared.

___________
Behind every metric and story of impact are people like you. Our work is funded entirely through community support, turning every donation into tangible protection for those facing immediate danger.

Right now, the need is critical. We are responding to a new wave of criminal prosecutions targetting social media posts and comments. Our legal team is operating at full capacity as urgent requests for help continue to surge.

To keep our lawyers on the ground and ensure no one is left to face these charges alone, we need to raise an additional $5,460 in monthly recurring support. To reach this target, we are looking for 273 new monthly donors.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to stand with us, this is it. Even a small monthly contribution provides the stability we need to take on new cases without delay.

Join the 273 new supporters helping us bridge this gap!

Anna's Story (name changed)

Alexander's story (name changed)

Links:

Support us

Permalink

Apr 20, 2026
Protect people from persecution - I, 2026

By Alena Bondareva | project-manager

Thanks to your generous contributions, we continue to provide a lifeline for those fleeing political persecution. In March 2026, your support translated into immediate legal protection, psychological stability, and safe housing for individuals facing extreme risks.

How your $72 donation made a difference:
Every dollar counts when a person’s freedom is at stake. To give you an idea of the impact, your collective $72 is equivalent to:

7 specialized legal consultations for activists facing criminal charges,
OR
7 emergency psychological support sessions to help survivors process the trauma of displacement,
OR
4 nights of safe emergency housing in a hotel for a person fleeing immediate arrest.

Impact Story: Iskander’s Journey to Safety
Iskander, a 27-year-old from Kazan, was targeted by security forces for his past online comments supporting Ukraine. After a violent raid on his apartment and a harrowing interrogation where he faced charges of "justifying terrorism," he was in a state of shock and uncertainty.

With the support of "The Ark" (Kovcheg) and human rights defenders, Iskander was able to leave Russia. Our coordinator, Yan, conducted a personal emergency consultation, providing him with a roadmap for his new life and ensuring he felt safe for the first time in years. Iskander’s case is a reminder of why your help is vital—it is the difference between a prison cell and a future in a free country

We are deeply grateful for your trust. In times of crisis, the speed of our response depends on your support. Together, we are building a safety net for those who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice.

But the requests for help never stop

Every month, more than 500 people reach out to us for help. These are individuals facing detention in third countries, or those who are simply at their breaking point due to constant persecution and threats to their safety.

Today, "The Ark" (Kovcheg) has reached a critical turning point: our current donations cover only half of the necessary expenses. We urgently need to find 700 more recurring donors to ensure we can continue helping people at risk and providing them with the protection and shelter they desperately need.

Your support is the only way to keep the doors open for hundreds of people seeking safety.

You can support our project here

With heartfelt thanks,
The Ark Team

Links:

Permalink

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.