English

Pro-government activists protest EU sanctions ahead of court hearing on suit against opposition politician

 

A judge of Minsk’s Savetski District Court began Tuesday a hearing on a lawsuit filed by an employee of Mazyr Oil Refinery against opposition politician Viktar Ivashkevich for his campaign for the European Union’s ban on Belarusian petroleum products.

Maryna Tsybliyenka, a computer operator at Mazyr Oil Refinery, is seeking 500,000 rubels (around $60) in compensation from Mr. Ivashkevich for “moral harm,” which she says his calls for the ban have done to her.

Two dozen protesters of the pro-government Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus staged a brief demonstration in front of the courthouse ahead of the hearing.

They displayed signs, reading “Instigators calling for economic sanctions against Belarus must be brought to account,” “Maryna, we are with you,” “Hands off workers’ collectives,” and “Economic sanctions are disgrace to Europe.” //BelaPAN