Vaukavysk businessman goes on indefinite hunger-strike

17.03.2005.

The owner of the Radiotaxi 22222 company protests the officials' actions, as a result of which his employees and himself have no work now. I have to do this because I have hardly any hope left that they will allow us to work normally. I will continue my hunger-strike until they have solved a problem all too important for over 100 people: "Will we be allowed to work on?" – says Mikola Autokhovich's appeal.
According to Mikola Autukhovich, the conflict broke out a year and a half ago. "Because I am a citizen of this country I decided not to keep silent and testify against some taxation officers abusing their official powers. Instead of getting protected as a witness, I started to be pressurized from all sides", says Mr. Autokhovich. He argues that the taxation agencies launched audits checking his business activities and the activity of this business associate Nika-trans in an attempt to stand up for their colleagues and to show the businessmen as people willfully avoiding paying taxes. No surprise, the other law enforcement bodies joined in: judges, procurators, State Control Committee representatives… As a result, Mr. Autokhovich was requested to pay large fines. As a result, Mikola Autokhovich can lose his business, and his employees their jobs, and the town residents – comfortable and inexpensive service.
This is not the first time the businessman goes on hunger-strike. Around 6 months ago, he and his associates went on a 20-day long hunger-strike to protest against the actions of the local officials. According to the information provided by the Narodnaya Volia newspaper, in the days to come dozens of Mikola Autukhovich's employees will join in the strike.