Experts on countries of origin by country

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. 

Marta Havryshko is a Dr. Thomas Zand Visiting Assistant Professor in Holocaust Pedagogy and Antisemitism Studies at the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University. She teaches courses on antisemitism and racism in the modern world and on gender, war, and genocide in Eastern Europe. Her recent publications include a book, "Overcoming Silence: Women's War Stories (2018), and book chapters and articles on gender, WWII, and the Russo-Ukraine war. She has conducted numerous expert interviews with the media and is a columnist in Berliner Zeitung on politics, war, and society in Ukraine. 

The Expert is a Country Expert and academic with extensive fieldwork expeirience and providing expert reports (100+) for more than 40 firms in the UK, US, Netherlands, and Canada with areas of expertise such as but not limited to:
- Authentication documents originating from countries of expertise
- Country reports on the indicated countries of expertise
- Minority groups, religious groups
- Political, social and cultural groups: LGBT
- Organized crime and mafia, state crime
- Extremist and violent groups, including religious groups
- Human rights violations
- Women issues: honor killing
- Human trafficking
- Psychiatry and prison conditions
- Disadvantaged groups e.g. children, minorities, mentally ill, disabled, terminally ill
- Availability of medical services
- State structure, military and security services
- Drug dealing and trafficking

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

Robin Llewellyn is a natural communicator with a gift for amplifying marginalized voices. With over a decade of experience as a journalist and media strategist, he has not only reported on human rights abuses but actively helped shape narratives for indigenous and environmental defenders. His cross-cultural communication, creative storytelling, and policy-savvy writing make him a powerful bridge between communities and decision-makers. Robin doesn’t just tell stories, he helps people be heard. He would be a valuable addition to any team seeking clarity, compassion, and compelling communication.

Dr. Logvinenko is an expert in autocratization, democracy, and rule-of-law institutions. He is a tenured Associate Professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College. His research and commentary have been published in highly regarded academic journals such as Communist and Post-Communist Studies, Democratization, European Journal of Politics and Gender, Europe-Asia Studies, and Russian Politics, among others. I have also contributed to popular publications such as The Washington Post. His first book, Global Finance and Local Control: Corruption and Wealth in Contemporary Russia, was published by Cornell University Press in 2021 and received the co-winner of the 2023 Best Book Award given by the International Political Economy section of the International Studies Association. He holds a doctorate in Government from Cornell University and has taught at Wellesley College, the Cornell-in-Washington Program, the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, and the Monterey Institute for International Studies. As a native of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, he studied Physics and Mathematics at Lyceum #61.

Daryna Lysyk is a well-rounded legal practitioner and country expert on Ukraine with extensive cross-sectoral experience in international law, refugee protection, and human rights. Her professional background bridges high-level legal research at one of Ukraine’s most respected law firms with hands-on support for refugees navigating asylum and immigration systems in the UK. As an immigration advisor and project coordinator, she has authored comprehensive handbooks, delivered multilingual trainings, and ensured accessible legal guidance for displaced Ukrainians. Her credibility is grounded in legal accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness to complex humanitarian contexts, particularly since the escalation of the war in Ukraine. With her legal fluency in three languages and a proven ability to communicate legal nuance across borders, Daryna is exceptionally positioned to contribute expert reports, risk analyses, and country assessments for legal teams, NGOs, and international protection agencies.

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.

Criminologist and gender expert with over 15 years of experience advising the United Nations, academia, and international organisations on gender justice, conflict sensitivity, human rights, social inclusion, and vulnerable populations, including in Syria, Ukraine, across the Middle East and Central Asia. Specialist in gender-based violence, policing and security services, prisons and the criminal justice sector, women’s and children’s rights, and victim-centred approaches. Proven track record of working in politically sensitive and fragile settings, and of authoring reports for private companies, ministries and UN offices. Fluent in Arabic and Ukrainian. 

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.

BBC journalist, film-maker and broadcaster with extensive experience of travelling to and investigating human rights abuses in Russia, including Chechnya, Belarus and other parts of the former USSR. Also considerable experience working with victims of human rights abuses in location in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Israel / Palestine, China, Turkey and Cuba.

Dr. Rano Turaeva-Höhne brings a rare combination of academic excellence and hands-on field expertise across post-Soviet, Central Asian, and conflict-affected regions. Her fluency in multiple languages and deep cultural insight make her exceptionally effective in navigating complex socio-political landscapes. With over 200 expert reports, a rich portfolio of publications in leading journals, and a strong record in policy advisory and teaching, she delivers both analytical depth and actionable solutions. Her work on migration, identity, and informal economies is internationally recognized and directly informs policy and practice. Dr. Turaeva is not only a subject-matter expert but also a dynamic and reliable professional who adds strategic value to any team. She would be an outstanding asset to any organization looking for deep regional knowledge, intellectual rigor, and real-world impact.

The Expert is a Barrister-at-Law of England and Wales. The Expert is a practicing Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. He holds the position of Head of Chambers at "LexAria and Jurists" (link : https://lexariaandjurists.com/) , and President at "Justice for All', with nearly a decade's experience in legal practice. The expert regularly moves before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh for various matters including Writ (Judicial Review), Criminal and Civil Appeal and Revision, Bail Petition, Intellectual Property, Company Matter, Inheritance, Public Interest Litigation, Muslim Personal Law, Succession Law, Hindu Law, etc.

As a practicing Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, the expert is legally qualified to verify any legal documents including case, GD, judgments and other relevant documents, and check records from the government office of Bangladesh including Courts and Tribunals unless restricted by the law or relevant office. 

Parallel to his legal pursuits, the expert is the Legal Affairs and Political Editor of The Daily Campus and columnist. Accumulatively, he possesses over 18 years of sustained experience as a Journalist in Bangladesh, having written extensively on a broad range of issues, including human rights, the criminal justice… Read more

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.