The authoritarian Republic of Belarus has now also banned the work of independent trade unions.
Almost two years after the mass protests against ruler Alexandr Lukashenko, the judicial authorities justified their decision with alleged extremist activities by several trade union leaders and members.
The trade unions were involved in an escalation of the situation, the Attorney General's Office said on Tuesday in Minsk, citing a decision by the country's Supreme Court.
After the controversial presidential election on August 9, 2020, Lukashenko had himself declared the winner again.
This led to mass protests, which were brutally put down by the security forces.
Several demonstrators died, hundreds were injured, and thousands were imprisoned.
The authorities blamed the trade unions for the situation.
At the time, the unions had also called for strikes in state-owned companies in order to paralyze Lukashenko's power base.
For example, the Free Union of Metalworkers, the unions for employees in the mining, chemical and construction industries, among others, and the umbrella organization Belarusian Congress of Democratic Unions have now been banned.
According to the Attorney General's Office, criminal proceedings against trade unionists for participating in "destructive acts" are still pending.
The unions were also accused of receiving help from abroad for their anti-state work.
The authorities had also previously banned numerous human rights and non-governmental organizations in Belarus because Lukashenko, who is considered "Europe's last dictator", also blamed them for the mass protests.