Mahiliou Authorities Frightened By Picket Of Solidarity With REP Trade Union

The activists intend to defend their right to peaceful assembly.

Mahiliou activists of the Radio-Electronic Industry Workers’ Trade Union (REP) complained about physical incapability of holding an action of solidarity with their colleagues.

Members of the Mahiliou branch of the REP Trade Union Aliaksei Yauhenau and Aliaksandr Khamratau intended to hold a picket of solidarity with their colleagues, accused of tax evasion by the authorities, on August 24.

According to mspring.online, one of the actions was planned to happen in a place, allowed for holding mass events – the former “Khimik” stadium in Chaliuskintsau Street. The second action was planned to be held in the center of Mahiliou, not far from the city executive office. According to Aliaksei Yauhenau, they were provided no opportunity to hold their pickets in accordance with the law.

— Even in the place where demonstrations and street actions are allowed, we cannot hold anything. We were supposed to make agreements with the communal services and the ambulance on August 18, but we needed an official reply from the city executive office for this. And we received that reply exactly on the date – August 18. It was too late though. The authorities deliberately delayed the reply and did everything to prevent the pickets, — the trade union activist said.

As for the action in the city center, the authorities once again referred to the fact that there was only one place in the regional center, intended for holding mass events. The REP activists are going to appeal this reply, as they reckon it a direct violation of the freedom for peaceful assembly.

Important to note, on August 2, head of the Independent Trade Union of the Radio-Electronic Industry Workers Henadz Fiadynich, former editor of the website praca-by.info Natallia Pichuzhkina and Chief Accountant of the Trade Union Ihar Komlik were detained by police. After the interrogation, Pichuzhkina and Fiadynich were released, but Komlik remained in custody. The Minsk office of the REP and the places of the detainees were raided, all computers and documentation were confiscated. A criminal case on tax exasion was started against all three detainees. The REP Trade Union intends to hold actions of solidarity with their colleagues throughout the country.