On April 9, law enforcement authorities conducted coordinated searches at the offices of major trade union organizations, including the Confederation of Labour, the Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Trade Unions (FPAD), and the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (SUR).
The searches were reportedly initiated on the basis of a complaint alleging possible misuse of funds within one of the FPAD affiliates. However, the scope and nature of the investigative actions, as well as the materials seized, strongly suggest that the authorities’ primary interest lay in documents and information related to the international activities and contacts of these trade unions.
During the operations, union leaders and staff present in the offices were effectively isolated and prevented from communicating with the outside world. Mobile phones and computers were confiscated, raising serious concerns about due process and the protection of organizational data.
While most of those detained were released later that evening, the situation remains critical. At present, there is no reliable information regarding the whereabouts of Sergey Kovalev, Chairman of the Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Trade Unions, or the chief accountant of FPAD.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
