Authorities Got Scared Of Trade Union Solidarity

REP Unionist Artur Eshbaeu fined for participating in a demonstration in support of an unjustly dismissed colleague.

Activists of the REP Trade Union are being punished for their participation in a picket held to support Mikhail Soshko who was unfairly dismissed. Since the judges have no evidence of violation of the law, they are building the prosecution only on the basis of the photos that were published on the Internet, praca-by.info writes.

Activists of REP Trade Union from Minsk, Brest, Hrodna, Babruisk, Baranavichy and Smalevichy held an action in front of the entry of the plant where Mikhail Soshko had previously worked, on March 31. They distributed leaflets in support of the dismissed colleague. The picket lasted for 25 minutes. But that was enough to charge the trade union activists with holding an unsanctioned event.

We remind that on April 26 the court of Maskouski district of Brest issued an official warning in this case to the deputy chairperson of the REP trade union Zinaida Mikhniuk. The hearings of the case took place in her absence.

On April 29, the spokesperson of the REP Trade Union Mikalai Herasimenka was found guilty of holding an unsanctioned event and was fined with one basic unit.

Another trial took place on May 5. This time the trade union activist Artur Eshbaeu was tried. The representative of REP Trade Union from Minsk district Illia Dabratvor and xome other members of the Trade Union came to support their friend in the court.

– The judge Misnik handled the administrative case. All charges against Arthur Eshbaeu were based on the photos published on the website praca-by.info and posts in social networks, as well as on the report of a police officer, who was absent at the picket, – Illia Dabratvor told. – Arthur Eshbaeu refused to give any testimony. Despite this, the judge Misnik found our friend guilty under Article 23.34 Part 1 and adjudged him to a fine of two basic units. REP Trade Union will continue to support its members and to protect their legal rights, – the trade union activist assured.