Fedynich: Prison Authorities Were Afraid That I Might Form A Trade Union.

• 12.09.2025, 15:29

He called for action until all political prisoners are released.

Released Belarusian political prisoners hold the first press conference in Vilnius.

Gennady Fedynich, who was the chairman of the independent trade union REP, took the floor:

- Political prisoners are singled out as a separate group, called "bchbshniki," I don't know what they are guided by. But I can say: how you treat yourself, you will be treated the same way. Prisoners who had been in prison for 15-20 years even addressed me by my patronymic. The prison authorities were scared, thinking that I could create a trade union there.

Gennady Fedynich also read a poem written in prison. He also thanked Donald Trump, EU authorities, Poland, Lithuania, human rights activists and called for action until all political prisoners are released and no one new goes to jail.

The website Charter97.org is hosting a text online broadcast of the conference.