Stryzhak: Authorities taking revenge on REP for non-freeloaders’ protests

REP activist Andrei Stryzhak told Euroradio the search in the office of the independent REP trade union and the criminal case against its leaders over tax evasion looks like the authorities’ revenge for the union's active role in the spring protests. 

Stryzhak:“Our active participation in the Spring 2017 is the main reason behind this persecution. The collection of signatures, mobilization of people and the society’s protest potential resulted in the suspension of Decree No 3. But it is not clear why this is happening now. Our relations with the West have improved again and “patriots” were released. The authorities are probably trying to find a new bargening chip for talks with their Western partners.”

The Financial Investigations Department searched the Minsk office of the REP trade union on August 2. Head of the trade union Henadz Fyadynich was detained.