Belarusian trade unionist released from prison

Vasil Beresnev was sentenced to nine years in prison by the Minsk City Court in January 2023, along with former REP chairman Hennadz Fiadynich, 67. In the same case, 69-year-old REP activist Vatslau Areshka was sentenced to eight years in a reinforced regime colony.

In prison, Vasil Bereznev's health deteriorated significantly, and he suffered severe pain in his only kidney. The situation became critical when the medications became ineffective and a kidney transplant became necessary.

Many of the political prisoners in Belarus suffer from poor health and are imprisoned in deplorable conditions. A petition calling for the release of the political prisoners has been widely circulated.

IndustriALL Secretary General Atle Høie says:

“We welcome the release of Vasil Beresnev and hope that this marks a turning point for Belarus. The conviction of trade union leaders exercising their legitimate right to freedom of association is a serious violation of the principles of freedom of association.”