Belarus’ strike leader Bokun released from US immigration detention facility

October 29, Pozirk. Anatol Bokun, a strike committee leader who fled Belarus fearing reprisals, has been released from an immigration detention facility in the United States, said Leanid Marozaŭ, Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s legal counsel.

“A US court has ruled to release a Biełaruśkalij strike committee leader, Anatol Bokun, from immigration detention and grant him asylum. The Office of Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja was in touch with his lawyer and prepared a letter of support, and I was present as a witness for the defense in the case,” Marozaŭ said.

This is the first such ruling in the US regarding a Belarusian native.

Two years ago, Bokun reached out to the UN Human Rights Committee for help.

In 2023, the committee registered his complaint about politically motivated persecution in Belarus. Although the complaint was accepted, it may take years before a decision is reached.

Bokun, one of the Biełaruśkalij strike committee leaders who lived in Salihorsk in the Minsk region, was repeatedly subjected to politically-motivated arrests. He spent more than 100 days in jail in 2020–2021.

The activist participated in negotiations with the management of the Norwegian company Yara, which eventually terminated its contract with due to reprisals against the strike committee members. The strike took place after the 2020 presidential election.

On September 17, the Association of Belarusians in America (ABA) reported that at least nine Belarusians were detained and placed in special centers for investigation after being summoned for a “check-in” at ICE.

Belarusian strike leader is held at ICE immigration center in US