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Belarus: Independent Labor Leader Warned By Officials


Belarusian union leader Alyaksandr Yarashuk
Belarusian union leader Alyaksandr Yarashuk
The chairman of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Labor Unions has been warned by authorities in connection with what is described as his alleged responsibility for "discrediting Belarus abroad."

Chairman Alyaksandr Yarashuk told RFE/RL that he was summoned to the prosecutor-general’s office on February 15, where he was questioned for three hours regarding his recent public statements about a “possible boycott by European countries of Belarus-made goods due to violations of independent labor unions’ rights in Belarus.”

Yarashuk said he was warned that he may face up to five years in jail if he is charged and found guilty of the crime.

He does not deny making the statements, but rejects any claim of wrongdoing because of them.
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