Belarusian activists block trucks carrying sanctioned cargo at Belarusian-Lithuanian border

February 14, BPN. A group of opposition activists, including members of Rabočy Ruch (Workers’ Movement), have blocked two trucks en route from Belarus to Lithuania in the night of February 14, the Belarusian Investigative Center reported.

The trucks reportedly transported fertilizers produced at Hrodna Azot nitrogen fertilizer plant currently under European Union’s sanctions.

The activists tipped off the Lithuanian police, border guards, and customs officers. Officials reportedly sent the trucks back for an additional inspection.

In 2021, the European Union, United States, UK and Canada imposed sanctions against a number of Belarusian individuals and companies, including Hrodna Azot. Later, Japan and Ukraine also joined sanctions against the fertilizer plant.

The Rabočhy Ruch was established after the disputed 2020 presidential election as an association to defend worker rights and freedoms. In September 2021, the Committee for State Security (KGB) blacklisted it as an extremist group. Since November 2022, its ten activists have been on trial at the Homiel Regional Court on charges widely seen as politically motivated.