Former Leader Of Independent Trade Union At 'Granite' Detained In Mikashevichy

• 28.12.2023, 1:07

He worked in Lithuania and came "for three weeks" to Belarus.

Former leader of the independent trade union at the "Granite" company Aleh Stakhayevich was detained in Mikashevichy in late November and was not released after 15 days of arrest, his friend Leanid Dubanosau told human rights activists.

According to him, Stakhayevich moved to work in Lithuania in 2020 and received a residence permit. Once every three months he travelled to Mikashevichy. And in 2023 he started travelling more often because he took part in running competitions.

In November, the man's residence permit expired. He said that he would go to Belarus for three weeks, after which he would return and continue working in Lithuania. However, a week later police officers came for him, searched his flat, took away his laptop and phone.

Three days later, the court sentenced Stakhayevich to 15 days of arrest, but after the end of the term he was never released. Later his relatives received a letter from the police department saying that the man was being checked for involvement in "extremist" activities.