Henadz Fyadynich: We Will Insist on Imposition of Sanctions on the Belarusian Authorities

The authorities crossed the red line with independent Trade Unions.

About 9 p.m. Deputy Chairman of the Homel REP Trade Union Andrei Stryzhak and the editor of the site praca-by.info Jauhen Stryzhak were detained at the border crossing point "Kamenny Log". They were coming back home from Lithuania. It is known that activists were asked for thorough screening, but a reason was not announced.

Andrei Stryzhak told Belsat that it might relate to persecution of the Independent REP Trade Union:

"When a border guard told us leave the bus, he neither showed any documents and explained the reason of our detention. They spoke on the phone with the deputy head of customs, because thorough screening requires an appropriate authorization. At the time of the detention they had no authorization, it is being issued now."

Shortly before it, Deputy Chairman of the REP Zinaida Mikhnyuk and coordinator of the youth network Anna Dus were detained on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.

The head of the Trade Union Henadz Fyadynich commented praca-by.info on intensification of persecution of REP activists:

"REP Trade Union is one of organizations that not only criticizes, but also makes proposals to the government. And things happening to the Union today is a true genocide. We will insist on imposition of sanctions on the Belarusian authorities, if they keep harassing the organization. We work for people and leave us alone!"

According to the latest information, after several hours of thorough screening of Andrei and Jauhen Stryzhak were released. At 23.50 they left the border check point "Kamenny Log".