Search
Security forces have entered the Moscow offices of the Confederation of Labour of Russia (KTR) and several of its member organisations—including the Russian Seafarers’ Union (RPSM).
KTR: Suspected embezzlement
According to Baza, the searches were prompted by reports from staff accusing the misappropriation of funds allocated for purchasing humanitarian aid for the Russian army. During the investigation, it emerged that the units for whom the aid was intended received nothing.
RPSM: Suspected links with an ‘undesirable’ organisation
The Seafarers’ Union is suspected of cooperation with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which has been declared an “undesirable” organisation in Russia. Security forces claim that the ITF blocked Russian ships in foreign ports, and that membership fees—including from the RPSM—were used to support the Ukrainian army.
What is KTR?
The Confederation of Labour of Russia is a nationwide trade union association established in 1995. It consists of 14 national and interregional organisations. The KTR is also a co-founder of the International Trade Union Confederation.
10 April A search was also carried out at the office of the Federal Air Traffic Controllers’ Union (FPAD). According to the outlet Rabochaya Politika, all the searches formed part of a criminal case launched following a complaint from former FPAD members. They accused the union’s leadership of the improper use of membership dues totalling at least 52,000 rubles (approx. US$570).
The investigative order did not explain why searches were also conducted at the KTR and RPSM offices.
“The nature of the actions taken by the investigative authorities and the materials seized suggest that their main interest lay in documents and information relating to the international activities and contacts of the trade union organisations,” wrote Rabochaya Politika.
Following the searches, all trade union leaders and activists were released.