Fiadynich And Komlik’s Trial Is Being Held In Minsk

(updated) Some people who came to support the REP trade union have not been allowed into the court room.

Today, on July 30, at 11:30 am, the Savetski district court of Minsk started the consideration of the criminal case against the leaders of the independent trade union of the radio electronic industry (REP) Hennadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik.

"The first day of the "Trade Union" trial. About fifty people who have come to support the trade union cannot get into the court room," – Homel trade union activist Andrei Stryzhak wrote on Facebook.

About a hundred people have gathered to support Fiadynich And Komlik. The first head of independent Belarus, Stanislau Shushkevich, politicians Anatol Liabedzka, Vital Rymasheuski, European Belarus activist Leanid Kulakou, human rights activist Valiantsin Stsefanovich are among them.

There are metal detectors at the entrance to the hall, and policemen are searching the people – the security measures, which are used only during the trials on the most resonant cases.

12.35 "This is a fabricated and politically motivated case. Even the prosecution pointed out that I was in Belarus and at the same time I ensured cash transfer from Lithuania. How could I do this being on the territory of Belarus? This is a pure fiction. For such cases we need the evidence base, and we don't have it here. The authorities want to destroy the REP trade union, that's what it's all about," – Hennadz Fiadynich told belsat.eu during the break.

Ihar Komlik stated that the REP trade union is "a thorn in the eye of the power."

"If truth be told, this process is just a theater. Perhaps, everything is already decided, and nothing depends on what we do," – he said.

12.20 The judge announced a break until 2:30 pm. Hearing of the testimony of witnesses will take place after the break.

12.10 The prosecutor read the accusation.

According to the investigation, Fiadynich and Komlik opened a REP trade union's account in a Lithuanian bank in 2011. Foreign donors transferred funds to that account, Komlik withdrew the money and transported them to Belarus with the help of other people.

"Fedynich and Komlik acted as a group of persons in collusion: they did not register funds as monetary assistance from foreigners, thus they made a profit of 17 thousand dollars," – the prosecutor said. According to the investigation, the defendants received another 140 thousand euros in the same way in the same year.

"I do not understand how I could open an account in Lithuania if I did not leave Belarus for 15 months", – Hennadz Fiadynich was surprised. He did not plead guilty.

Ihar Komlik called the charge fabricated and also pleaded not guilty.

11.45 The trial starts. Despite the opinion of lawyers and the defendants themselves, the judge bans media representatives photo and video shooting, which causes laughter among the audience. Only the prosecution is for the ban.

Fiadynich moves for announcing a break and moving the meeting to a larger room, so that at least half of those who have stayed at the entrance could attend the trial. The petition is not satisfied.

Komlik states that he will not intercede for substituting the judge. "It would be untrue to say that I trust you. You are a cog in the system, but you will be replaced with a similar cog," – Komlik says to the judge.

Hennadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik are accused of "tax evasion for 23 thousand rubles."

The REP trade union leaders face the restriction of freedom of up to 5 years or imprisonment from 3 to 7 years with confiscation of property.

Fiadynich and Komlik are denying the charges. They say that the case against them is the authorities' reaction to the active actions of the REP trade union in protecting workers.