Nadezda
Nadezda fled the Ukraine in 1996 to seek asylum in the Czech Republic, following threats made to her husband who was the chairman of the local opposition party. She and her husband hoped to find sanctuary in the Czech Republic until the political situation improved and they could return. But the authorities in the Czech Republic considered Ukraine a safe country of origin and their asylum application was turned down.
"They said there were democratic changes and a democratic state. So we believed that and returned."
On their return to Ukraine, Nadezda was accused of attempting to illegally smuggle their second child - born in a Czech refugee camp - into the country and she was imprisoned. The family escaped once more to the Czech Republic in the back of a truck.
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