Will Phones Of Belarusians Be Tapped To Seek Taxes?

The way database on income is created.

The database on incomes of the population, which is now being tested, will contain information about money receipts of Belarusians both within the country and abroad.

In addition, all organizations are subject to data submission about all money receipts of their employees.

What can this lead to? The representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Slonim Viktar Marchyk answers questions of Charter97.org.

- It all goes to the total control over every Belarusian, not only over "parasites". The new income database is the instrument to perform plans for a special taxation of all citizens.

I guess that Lukashenka and his inner circle will be an exception. As before, they are allowed to hide their money in offshores.

- You have mentioned the special taxation. What does this mean?

- Double taxation will be introduced. The origins go deep - the Tale of Bygone Years - when Duchess Olga sent tiuns to raise taxes for the second time.

- As we remember, Drevlians rebelled.

- Belarusians can do it as well... Double taxation may become the reason.

- However, how will it happen?

- Almost all people working abroad send money to relatives. And this sum will be taxed. The money which has already been subject to taxation at work place.

In addition, the database is created to know the full income of a person working abroad. And it opens a vast area for the tax authorities to create. It's quite possible that incomes of a Belarusian will be subject to numerous taxation. There is no money in the treasury. Every variant is welcomed.

- What if money received from abroad was needed for the ill and the needy?

- I'm convinced that it's not the option for the authorities. It will be also treated as someone's income from abroad. And it is also the ground for a tax raising.

Just remember the scandalous story with "Joint" charitable organization. After the information scandal the authorities backed up. But now, when the income database is created and taken to the assembly line, taxes from the charitable activity will be raised openly.

After all, law enforcement agencies, the army, officials and the tax authorities need salalries for themselves. And enterprises which used to replenish the budget are now standing on their knees and take cuts. People move abroad and work there. The conclusion is that the state will chase them and force them to pay at any sacrifice. Perhaps, for several times.

The authorities have realized that people working abroad can destroy the system, they will not be just paying taxes in Belarus. The migration scale caused by the ruined economy is so great that Lukashenka is left with no means to support his apparatus.

Who will then rig elections? Who will then guard ballot riggers? Hungry official and policeman jeopardise the throne. That's why people escaped abroad should be found and deprived of their last money. After all, the official and the policeman will not go to work for 200-300 rubles per month at a collective farm. Lukashenka has created the system which requires constant support; otherwise, he will be swallowed by it.

We are now watching the action "Manhunt on a Belarusian Abroad".

- Well, how will the income data acquisition about people living abroad be held? After all, people are on the territory of other states. And what if they reject surrender information to Lukashenka's of agencies?

- The authorities will be spying. Phones of Belarusians will be tapped en mass.

I guess that special services will be actively use the database of the Ministry for Taxes and Duties and participate in its creation. People will be tapped. They will collect evidence that a person works abroad and sends money to relatives.

Spy methods will be used. Agents abroad will be alarmed. Following the Communist International which collected information for Stalin all around Europe, Lukashenka now creates his personal "Lukintern".

- What if anyone of "Lukintern" agents fail? It will cause scandals, the expulsion of diplomats and so on...

- I guess Lukashenka realizes that he may cast a shadow on relations with neighboring countries spying on his citizens on their territory. But, as usual, he leaves to chance. After all, it’s not known when agents may fail, but officials need money right now.

Perhaps, the authorities take into account the story of arrested Russian Mary Butina in the USA, and the expulsion of 35 diplomats of the Russian Federation. But, as I have already mentioned, they need money right now.

In addition, Lukashenka hopes, as usual, to tie himself into knots and promise to "reject" Putin after every spy scandal in the West. Although, it is clear that it's a lie and agents will continue their activity.

- To be under restless control even living abroad is not a good perspective. How to prevent it?

- The answer to the question was given in the first half of 2017. Mass protest actions were like a cold shower for the authorities and made them back up with Decree No.3.

This is also the only valid variant against Decree No.1. It's no use to reinvent the wheel.

It's clear that the new decree is more veiled and cautious. Still there are people who have failed to realize it's true nature. It's even trickier than Decree No. 3, because it affects not only "parasites", but all citizens.

As soon as it's getting really tough, Belarusians will start protesting. But we, activists and independent media, can't wait by the sea for the weather. Our task is to explain people what happens when the new decree on "parasites" comes into force.