Verdict in trial of outlawed trade union’s leaders to be announced on December 27

December 24, BPN. Judge Anastasija Papko of the Minsk City Court will announce a verdict in a case against the leaders of the outlawed Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers (REP) on December 27, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported.

Authorities accuse its longtime leader Hienadź Fiadynič, acting chair Vasil Bierasnieŭ, and activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions, and creating and running an extremist group. The trial started on November 25 behind closed doors, but verdict announcement will be open to the public.

A wave of arrests of independent trade union activists swept across Belarus on April 18 and 19. Prior to that, authorities blacklisted the electronic union as an extremist group. Human rights groups consider the arrested trade union leaders political prisoners.

In July, the Supreme Court ruled to shut down all Belarusian independent trade unions as well as their umbrella organization, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions.

International trade union organizations have condemned the crackdown and urged authorities to immediately restore workers’ right to freedom of association.