Henadz Fiadynich On ‘Trade Union Case’: I Saw No Evidence Base

The trial may begin already late in July.

Head of the independent REP trade union Henadz Fiadynich told the website palitviazni.info that the trial in the "trade unions case" could begin already at the end of this month.

"I did not see any evidence base," - says Henadz Fiadynich, "but there is a fake e-mail account in the materials of the case, it seems that it should belong to Ihar Komlik, but that's not so, and there is no information in the case to whom this account belongs. So who created it? "

Ihar Komlik was detained since August 2, 2017 in the criminal case against him and the chairman of the REP union Henadz Fiadynich under Part 2 of Article 243 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus ("tax evasion in a particularly large amount"). On October 2, 2017, Ihar Komlik was released from the remand prison under a written obligation not to leave the place.

According to the "calculation" of the Department of Financial Investigation of the State Control Committee, "the amount of unpaid taxes" reached 22867.1 rubles.

Henadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik face restriction of freedom for up to 5 years or imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years with possible confiscation of property.

On June 18, the prosecutor's office transferred the "trade unions case" to the Savetski district court of Minsk.

"Now the lawyer is studying the case in court," - says Henadz Fiadynich, - "We were allowed to photograph all the materials that we consider necessary, there were no prohibitions on this issue. Within a month they have to determine the date of the hearing, so I think the process will begin already at the end of this month or the beginning of the next one."

The leader of the REP trade union is sure that the case is fabricated.

"I did not see any evidence base," - he says, - "but there is a fake e-mail account in the materials of the case, it seems that it should belong to Ihar Komlik, but that's not so. And there is no information in the case to whom this account belongs. Who created it? They stuffed some "documents" in there as they pleased, and now they want to legalize it and present it as evidence in court. If this is done, then you can send absolutely anyone behind the bars. Create him a fake e-mail account - and that’s settled".

Henadz Fiadynich adds that Belarusian courts are not independent in decision-making, and therefore he cannot predict what the court decision will be.