Experts on countries of origin by country

Dr. Đorđe Andelkovic is a deeply embedded regional expert on the political and ethnic fault lines of the Western Balkans, offering unmatched insight into Roma exclusion, ethnic policing, and post-conflict marginalization. With over 70 legal reports accepted in asylum cases across the UK, US, and Canada, he is regarded for his on-the-ground accuracy, unfiltered documentation, and ability to clarify the mechanics of civic repression and legal denial. His work is informed by years of direct field research in politically tense municipalities such as Sandžak, Mitrovica, and southern Montenegro, where he has investigated blood feud threats, police complicity, and the functional collapse of state protection for minorities. He also brings critical awareness of the subtle dynamics of surveillance, NGO harassment, and state-narrative manipulation, particularly in regions where youth dissent and draft evasion intersect with ethnic profiling. His field-grounded expertise, combined with fluency across Balkan linguistic landscapes and long-term engagement with both legal and academic actors, makes him an indispensable resource for complex Balkan-origin asylum and deportation cases.

Anita Natascia Bernacchia is a highly accomplished European affairs journalist, multilingual communicator, and regional political analyst whose work spans the intersection of EU policy, Eastern European politics, and public diplomacy. Based in Brussels and fluent in six languages, she has built a career that blends institutional communications at the highest levels of European Commission, Council of the EU, and Committee of the Regions with frontline journalism focused on Romania, Moldova, and minority politics in post-socialist Europe. Her ability to translate complex political developments into accessible narratives, both for general audiences and institutional stakeholders, makes her a rare and valuable contributor to public discourse. Anita’s journalism is marked by clarity, precision, and cultural depth, while her translation and interpretation work with EU institutions reflects a high level of technical and linguistic expertise. Her cross-sector career makes her an ideal candidate for any role requiring deep regional knowledge, media fluency, and European institutional experience.

Barrister and academic, with extensive research, publishing and advisory experience in former Soviet Union and other countries, fluent in Russian

Kateryna Burbak is an experienced rule of law and governance expert with a proven track record supporting access to justice, human rights, and democratic institution building in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Her combination of legal research, field delivery, and policy advocacy enables her to deliver practical solutions in complex reform environments. Kateryna’s commitment to inclusive governance and stakeholder collaboration makes her an invaluable resource for donors and partners promoting democratic change. Her dedication to strengthening the rule of law, even in fragile and rapidly changing contexts, sets her apart as a trusted, impactful development professional.

Dr. Christian is a psychoanalytical anthropologist of violent ethnic & cultural conflict in Eurasia, South Asia, Middle East, Central and South America, West Africa, North Africa and the Horn of Africa with experience working in military, diplomatic, and humanitarian interventions in intra-state violent conflicts. 

Expert on Russia and Post-Soviet Countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Associate Professor at King’s College London with over two decades of internationally recognised expertise on crime, corruption, policing, prisons and criminal justice reform across the former Soviet Union. Known for combining rigorous academic research with high-level policy advisory roles for international organisations as well as UK and US government departments.

I am available to produce general country expert evidence reports on political, social, and economic conditions, corruption and crime environments, state protection capacity, and risks faced by specific social groups in my countries of expertise. I also provide expert reports and testimony for cases involving risks from political activism, exposure of corruption or organised crime, trafficking and exploitation, state collusion with criminal groups, police corruption, and inhumane detention conditions in former Soviet Union countries.

I have extensively travelled and conducted field research across former Soviet Union countries, gaining a deep understanding of how informal networks, weak rule of law, and criminal-state nexus structures create specific vulnerabilities for asylum claimants. My research has been published in leading academic journals and briefed to senior policymakers and officials… Read more

Elze Pinelyte is a respected governance and democracy specialist with a strong track record designing and delivering impactful programs across Southeast Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and the MENA region. Their expertise spans public administration reform, anti-corruption, civil society strengthening, and democratic institution building for major international donors. With deep regional knowledge, cross-cultural skills, and a commitment to accountable governance, Elze Pinelyte is an outstanding choice for organizations advancing sustainable democratic reforms in complex contexts.

Valentyn Stoliarchuk is a trusted rule of law and legal reform expert with a strong record delivering judicial and governance reforms across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. His work bridges technical policy advice, hands-on program implementation, and capacity development for legal institutions and civil society. Valentyn’s commitment to promoting access to justice, anti-corruption, and human rights protection makes him an invaluable asset for international organizations and partners working to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law in transitional contexts.

Dr. Hanna Vasilevich is a researcher and academic currently based at the International Centre for Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity Studies in Prague, where she serves as Board Chair. Dr. Vasilevich has been a Visiting Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, UK, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Law & Anthropology Department of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle/Saale, Germany. Before she worked at the European Centre for Minority Studies (Germany) and taught in a number of Universities in Czechia and Germany.