Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union Headquarters in Smalyavichy Robbed :: Charter'97 :: News

Unknown persons have broken the window grill, entered the premises and stolen property of the trade union. It is the third burglary over the year, www.praca-by.info was told by the chairman of the primary organization of the REWU (Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union) Headquarters in Smalyavichy, Valery Sachyuka.

“I have filed a complaint about the robbery to police,” Valery Sachyuka said. “In response I receive only kiss-offs stating that the cases are suspended because there was no clue to the identity of burglars. I do not need these formal letters from the leadership of the police department, in particular, a deputy head, major Korzh. Concrete actions are needed. After the break-in on May 11 I talked to the investigator about a possible place of hiding the stolen things. But police didn’t react. I received a kiss-off again”.

The trade union leader is indignant at policemen’s failure to act. “We pay the rent regularly, and we cannot use the office. I have to store all documents and trade union materials at home. I cannot organize legal consultations, meetings, seminars”.

Valery Sachyuka is not going to sit on his hands. “I would go to any length, I will go to the presidential administration, the prosecutor general, in case no steps would be taken,” he said addressing policemen.

The trade union activist expresses an idea that thefts could have been planned with the aim of pressure on independent trade union. “Failure of authority to act suggests that it was a purposeful crack down for liquidation of our trade union,” he noted.