Human rights defender expelled from hearings on case of fired “Granite” activist

A new trial has started in Luninets in connection with the attempt of the trade union activist Mikalai Karyshau to get rehabilitated at work.

The activist tries to prove that the labor agreement between him and the employer was composed with violations of the law, whereas the administration refused to sign a new agreement with him, referring to the admonitions which had been allegedly issued to Karyshau during a check-up which was held several days before.

Mikalai Karyshau expressed impeachment to the head of the Luninets District Court Vasil Belski who leads this case, because earlier this judge had found no violations in the dismissal of the head of the independent trade union organization at the “Granite” enterprise Aleh Stakhayevich. The challenge of judge was declined by Belski. Later he also threatened human rights defender Uladzimir Malei with a fine (for alleged violations of discipline) and eventually expelled him from the court room. Mr. Malei represented the plaintiff's interests as a legal inspector of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions.