Victims of BelToll system: We have to take to streets

Belarusian freight companies plan to organise a rally near the Council of Ministers on February 4.

A reader of charter97.org, director of a freight company Siarhei Shtoda, told a shocking story. As a result of a set of circumstances and a number of technical faults, freight companies were issued fines of from 50,000 to 80,000 euros allegedly for violating the rules of using toll roads.

Directors of the firms that went bankrupt due to fines will gather near the building of the Council of Ministsers in Minsk (Savetskaya Street 11). with a demand to cancel their fines, return their money returned and give them an opportunity to work and pay taxes.

Shortly after an interview with charter97.org, Siarhei Shtoda published a video appeal to the authorities. We asked him today about the preparation for the protests, a public response and further plans.

“We will meet with first prime minister Vasili Matsiusheuski tomorrow. It will determine our further actions,” he said.

– Was there a response from the public or authorities after articles in the media?

– Yes, freight companies began to worry. We will say tomorrow what will happen on February 4. New members have joined our team. Of course, it's pleasant to hear people saying: “I have the same problem. What should I do? How can I help?” I tell everyone that we will gather near the Council of Ministers on the morning of February 4.

– What towns will be represented? Will only Minsk residents take to streets?

– People will arrive from other towns, too, from Pinsk and Kobryn, for example. People unite in groups of 7 or 8 to use one minibus or car to get to Minsk. They will come! The process has begun. There's no going back. And why should we go back? We will gather and express our position. It doesn't matter how it will look: a protect rally, blocking the ring road or burning cars. These are details.

– Do you have a plan?

– Yes, we have the plan. Anyway, we will do something. We will not give our money to the authorities as a gift and tolerate it.

I had a phone call from the bank this morning. They said my account was blocked. My truck doesn't work. I was asked to carry freight from Moscow, but the other truck doesn't work too, because the driver is at hospital. That's the end. The firm is closing. I will close my foreign currency and ruble accounts and write a letter to the Social Protection Fund saying that I take a leave for five years. What else can I do? I'll be an idiot if I pay a fine of many millions.

– Did you talk to lawyers? What do they say about your chances to win?

– There's a decree No. 340 of the Council of Ministers of 30 April 2013. It says clearly that there are no loopholes. Everyone in the ministries of transport, economy and justice shows this decree and say: “We understand it is nonsense to pay €50,000 of fines. But we have the decree of the Council of Ministers. We cannot do anything.”

I will tell it to Matsiusheuski tomorrow. There are many other decrees, rulings and resolutions. There are plenty of them! Each of them is amended sooner or later. But we are humans, we make mistakes. So, MPs missed something and didn't take everything into account. Let's improve the document, let's amend it. The mechanism will work better. Why cannot they do it? They created so many problems for people. I am 100% certain that many already have their accounts blocked.

Why do they do it? What do they want? Well, I will stop paying taxes. I paid 35% to the Social Protection Fund, I paid to Belgosstrakh, various transport taxes and duties, I paid for vehicle examination. I won't pay it! The truck won't work. If bailiffs come to seize it, I won't allow them. I will burn it. Let them take the ashes. I don't have other ways out. They are pushing us into a pit and want us to be silent and respect the government. It's not emotions or calculations. I don't have another choice or way out.