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Official Journal
of the European Union

EN

Series L


2024/769

27.2.2024

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2024/769

of 26 February 2024

amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 15 October 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/642/CFSP (1).

(2)

On the basis of a review of Decision 2012/642/CFSP, and considering the persistent gravity of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the illegal aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures adopted by the Union. Consequently, Decision 2012/642/CFSP should be renewed until 28 February 2025.

(3)

The entries for 21 natural and two legal persons included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP should be amended.

(4)

Decision 2012/642/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 2012/642/CFSP is amended as follows:

(1)

in Article 8, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   This Decision shall apply until 28 February 2025.’

;

(2)

Annex I is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 26 February 2024.

For the Council

The President

D. CLARINVAL


(1)  Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP of 15 October 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine (OJ L 285, 17.10.2012, p. 1).


ANNEX

Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP is amended as follows:

(1)

in Table ‘A. Natural persons referred to in Articles 3(1) and 4(1)’, entries 11, 39, 41, 43, 44, 67, 68, 69, 75, 87, 117, 147, 161, 163, 165, 168, 169, 171, 173, 195 and 205 are replaced by the following:

 

Names Transcription of Belarusian spelling Transcription of Russian spelling

Names (Belarusian spelling) (Russian spelling)

Identifying Information

Reasons for listing

Date of listing

‘11.

Aliaksandr Valerievich BYKAU

Alexander (Alexandr) Valerievich BYKOV

Аляксандр Валер’евiч БЫКАЎ

Александр Валерьевич БЫКОВ

Position(s): First Deputy Commander of the Interior Troops, former Commander of the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR), Lieutenant Colonel

Gender: male

In his former position as Commander of the Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he was responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by SOBR forces in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as First Deputy Commander of the Interior Troops.

2.10.2020

39.

Sviatlana Piatrouna KATSUBA

Svetlana Petrovna KATSUBO

Святлана Пятроўна КАЦУБА

Светлана Петровна КАЦУБО

Position(s): Chair of Social Humanities and Legal Disciplines at Gomel/Homyel State Technical University, former Member of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC)

DOB: 6.8.1959

POB: Podilsk, Odessa Region/Oblast, former USSR (now Ukraine)

Gender: female

In her former position as a member of the CEC college, she was responsible for its misconduct in the 2020 presidential electoral process, its non-compliance with basic international standards of fairness and transparency and its falsification of election results.

The CEC and its college have, in particular, organised the dismissal of certain opposition candidates on spurious grounds and placed disproportionate restrictions on observers in polling stations. The CEC has also ensured that the election commissions under its supervision are composed in a biased manner.

She remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Chair of Social Humanities and Legal Disciplines at Gomel/Homyel State Technical University.

2.10.2020

41.

Igar Anatolievich PLYSHEUSKI

Ihor Anatolievich PLYSHEVSKIY

Iгар Анатольевiч ПЛЫШЭЎСКI

Игорь Анатольевич ПЛЫШЕВСКИЙ

Position(s): Managing Director of OOO Bergia Group, former Member of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC)

DOB: 19.2.1979

POB: Lyuban, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: male

In his former position as a member of the CEC college, he was responsible for its misconduct in the 2020 presidential electoral process, its non-compliance with basic international standards of fairness and transparency and its falsification of election results.

The CEC and its college have, in particular, organised the dismissal of certain opposition candidates on spurious grounds and placed disproportionate restrictions on observers in polling stations. The CEC has also ensured that the election commissions under its supervision are composed in a biased manner.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Managing Director of OOO Bergia Group.

2.10.2020

43.

Aleh Leanidavich SLIZHEUSKI

Oleg Leonidovich SLIZHEVSKI

Алег Леанiдавiч СЛIЖЭЎСКI

Олег Леонидович СЛИЖЕВСКИЙ

Position(s): Head of the Legal Support Department of the Permanent Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, former Member of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC)

DOB: 16.8.1972

POB: Grodno/Hrodna, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: male

In his former position as a member of the CEC college, he was responsible for its misconduct in the 2020 presidential electoral process, its non-compliance with basic international standards of fairness and transparency and its falsification of election results.

The CEC and its college have, in particular, organised the dismissal of certain opposition candidates on spurious grounds and placed disproportionate restrictions on observers in polling stations. The CEC has also ensured that the election commissions under its supervision are composed in a biased manner.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as head of the Legal Support Department of the Permanent Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

2.10.2020

44.

Irina Aliaksandrauna TSELIKAVETS

Irina Alexandrovna TSELIKOVEC

Iрына Аляксандраўна ЦЭЛIКАВЕЦ

Ирина Александровна ЦЕЛИКОВЕЦ

Position(s): Former Member of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC)

DOB: 2.11.1976

POB: Zhlobin, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: female

In her former position as a member of the CEC college, she was responsible for its misconduct in the 2020 presidential electoral process, its non-compliance with basic international standards of fairness and transparency and its falsification of election results.

The CEC and its college have, in particular, organised the dismissal of certain opposition candidates on spurious grounds and placed disproportionate restrictions on observers in polling stations. The CEC has also ensured that the election commissions under its supervision are composed in a biased manner.

2.10.2020

67.

Genadz Andreevich BOGDAN

Gennady Andreievich BOGDAN

Генадзь Андрэевiч БОГДАН

Геннадий Андреевич БОГДАН

Position(s): Former Deputy Head of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate

DOB: 8.1.1977

Gender: male

In his former position of Deputy Head of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate, he oversees the functioning of numerous enterprises. The body under his leadership provides financial, material and technical, social, household and medical support to the State apparatus and republican authorities. He is closely associated with the President and continues to support the Lukashenka regime.

17.12.2020

68.

Ihar Paulavich BURMISTRAU

Igor Pavlovich BURMISTROV

Iгар Паўлавiч БУРМIСТРАЎ

Игорь Павлович БУРМИСТРОВ

Position(s): Former Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

DOB: 30.9.1968

Gender: male

In his former leadership position as First Deputy Commander of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he was responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the Internal Troops under his command in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.

He was passed to the military reserve. He has the right to wear military uniform and insignia.

17.12.2020

69.

Arciom Kanstantinavich DUNKA

Artem Konstantinovich DUNKO

Арцём Канстанцiнавiч ДУНЬКА

Артем Константинович ДУНЬКО

Position(s): Deputy Head of the Vitebsk/Viciebsk Region/Oblast Office of the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee, former Senior Inspector for Special Matters of the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee

DOB: 8.6.1990

Gender: male

In his former leadership position as Senior Inspector for Special Matters of the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee, he was responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular investigations launched into opposition leaders and activists.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Deputy Head of the Vitebsk/Viciebsk Region/Oblast Office of the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee.

17.12.2020

75.

Siarhei Leanidavich KALINNIK

Sergei Leonidovich KALINNIK

Сяргей Леанiдавiч КАЛИННИК

Сергей Леонидович КАЛИННИК

Position(s): Deputy Head of Criminal Police in the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, former Police Colonel, Chief of the Sovetsky District Police Department of Minsk

DOB: 23.7.1979

Gender: male

In his former position as Chief of the Sovetsky District Police Department of Minsk, he was responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the local police force under his command in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.

According to witnesses, he personally supervised and took part in torturing unlawfully detained protesters.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Deputy Head of Criminal Police in the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive. Committee.

17.12.2020

87

Aliaksandr Vasilevich SHAKUTSIN

Aleksandr Vasilevich SHAKUTIN

Аляксандр Васiльевiч ШАКУЦIН

Александр Васильевич ШАКУТИН

Position(s): Businessman, chairman of the board of directors of Amkodor holding, shareholder of SV Maschinen GmbH, UAB EM System, Anulatrans SIA, Amkodor-Tsentr, OOO PMI Inzhiniring

DOB: 12.1.1959

POB: Bolshoe Babino, Orsha Rayon, Vitebsk/Viciebsk Region/Oblast, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: male

He is one of the leading businessmen operating in Belarus, with business interests in construction, machine building, agriculture and other sectors.

He is reported to be one of the persons who has benefitted most from privatisation during Lukashenka’s tenure as President. He is also a former member of the presidium of the pro-Lukashenka public association “Belaya Rus” and a former member of the Council for the Development of Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Belarus.

In July 2020, he made public comments condemning the opposition protests in Belarus, thus supporting the Lukashenka regime’s policy of repression towards peaceful protesters, democratic opposition and civil society.

He is therefore benefitting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime.

He maintains business interests in Belarus.

17.12.2020

117.

Aliaksandr Henadzevich BAKHANOVICH

Aleksandr Gennadevich BAKHANOVICH

Аляĸсандр Генадзевiч БАХАНОВIЧ

Алеĸсандр Геннадьевич БАХАНОВИЧ

Position(s): First Deputy Minister of Education, former Rector of the Brest State Technical University

DOB: 1972

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

In his former position as the Rector of the Brest State Technical University, whose appointment was approved by Alexander Lukashenka, Aliaksandr Bakhanovich was responsible for the decision of the university administration to expel students for taking part in peaceful protests. The expulsion orders were made following Lukashenka’s call on 27 October 2020 to expel from universities students taking part in protests and strikes. In January 2023, Aliaksandr Bakhanovich was appointed First Deputy Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus.

He is therefore responsible for the repression of civil society and is supporting the Lukashenka regime.

21.6.2021

147.

Siarhei Uladzimiravich USHAKOU

Sergei Vladimirovich USHAKOV

Сяргей Уладзiмiравiч УШАКОЎ

Сергей Владимирович УШАКОВ

Position(s): Head, and former Deputy Head, of the Frunzensky District Police Department of Minsk

DOB: 22.8.1980

POB: Minsk, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

In his former position as the Deputy Head of the Frunzensky District Police Department of Minsk supervising criminal police, Siarhei Ushakou was responsible for the actions of his subordinates, especially inhumane and degrading treatment, including torture, inflicted on citizens detained in the Frunzensky District in the wake of the 2020 presidential election and for the general brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters. Officers under Ushakou’s direct supervision used torture against detainees.

He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition.

He is currently the head of the Fruzensky District Police Department of Minsk.

21.6.2021

161.

Ihar Uladzimiravich HOLUB

Igor Vladimirovich GOLUB

Iгар Уладзiмiравiч ГОЛУБ

Игорь Владимирович ГОЛУБ

Position(s): Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, former Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence of the Armed Forces

DOB: 19.11.1967

POB: Chernigov, Chernigovskaya oblast, former USSR (now Ukraine)

Gender: Male

Nationality: Belarusian

Rank: Major General

BY passport number: KH2187962

Personal identification: 3191167E003PB1

In his former position as Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, Ihar Holub was responsible for the decision taken by the Command of the Air Forces and Air Defence Forces, on Lukashenka’s instructions, to dispatch military aircraft to escort the forced landing of passenger flight FR4978 in Minsk airport without proper justification on 23 May 2021.

This politically motivated decision was aimed at arresting and detaining opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and is a form of repression against civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus.

Following the incident, Ihar Holub gave press statements together with Belarusian Ministry of Transport Aviation Department Director Artem Sikorsky justifying the actions of the Belarusian aviation authorities.

He is therefore responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus, and is supporting the Lukashenka regime.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus.

21.6.2021

163.

Leanid Mikalaevich CHURO

Leonid Nikolaevich CHURO

Леанiд Мiкалаевiч ЧУРО

Леонид Николаевич ЧУРО

Position(s): Chairman of the Republican Chess Federation – Public Association “Belarusian Chess Federation”, former Director General of BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise

DOB: 8.7.1956

Gender: Male

Nationality: Belarusian

BY passport number: P4289481

Personal identification: 3080756A068PB5

In his former position as Director General of the BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise, Leanid Churo was responsible for Belarusian air traffic control. He therefore bears responsibility for diverting passenger flight FR4978 to Minsk airport without proper justification on 23 May 2021. This politically motivated decision was aimed at arresting and detaining opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and is a form of repression against civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus.

He is therefore responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the chairman of the Republican Chess Federation – Public Association “Belarusian Chess Federation”.

21.6.2021

165.

Artsiom Igaravich SIKORSKI

Artem Igorevich SIKORSKIY

Арцём Iгаравiч СIКОРСКI

Артем Игоревич СИКОРСКИЙ

Position(s): Director General of the BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise, former Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications

DOB: 1983

POB: Soligorsk, Minsk Region/Oblast, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: Male

Nationality: Belarusian

BY passport number: MP3785448

Personal identification: 3240483A023PB7

In his former capacity as the Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Belarus, Artsiom Sikorski was responsible for state management in the sphere of civil aviation and supervision of air traffic control. He therefore bears responsibility for diverting passenger flight FR4978 to Minsk on 23 May 2021 without a proper justification. This politically motivated decision was aimed at arresting and detaining the opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and is a form of repression against civil society and democratic opposition of Belarus.

Following the incident, he gave press statements together with Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, Ihar Holub, justifying the actions of the Belarusian aviation authorities.

He is therefore responsible for repression of civil society and democratic opposition and is supporting the Lukashenka regime.

He remains active in the Lukashenka regime as the Director General of the BELAERONAVIGATSIA State-Owned Enterprise.

21.6.2021

168.

Anatol Piatrovich LAPO

Anatoliy Petrovich LAPPO

Анатоль Пятровiч ЛАПО/ЛАППО

Анатолии Петрович ЛАППО

Position(s): Former Lieutenant General and Chairman of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus (appointed on 29 December 2016), Chief State Border Delegate

DOB: 24.5.1963

POB: Kulakovka, Mogilev Region/Oblast, former USSR (now Belarus)

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

Passport number: MP4098888

Personal ID: 3240563K033PB5

In his former position as Chairman of the State Border Committee, Anatol Lapo was responsible for actions of border control bodies under his command, whose border guards were documented as directing, guiding or forcing migrants to illegally cross the border between Belarus and Union Member States, and whose deliberate failure to carry out their duties properly facilitates attempts by migrants to cross that border.

He is therefore responsible for organising activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union.

He was passed to the military reserve in May 2023.

2.12.2021

169.

Kanstantsin Henadzevich MOLASTAU

Konstantin Gennadevich MOLOSTOV

Канстанцiн Генадзьевiч МОЛАСТАЎ

Константин Геннадьевич МОЛОСТОВ

Position(s): Colonel, Chairman of the State Border Committee, former Head of the Grodno Border Group (appointed on 1 October 2014), Military Unit 2141, State Border Delegate

DOB: 30.5.1970

POB: Krasnoarmeysk, Saratov Region, Russian Federation

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

Passport number: KH2479999

Personal ID: 3300570K025PB3

In his former position as Head of the Grodno Border Group, Kanstantsin Molastau was responsible for actions of border guards under his command. The deliberate failure of the Grodno Border Group to carry out its duties properly facilitates attempts by migrants to cross the border with Union Member States.

He is therefore contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union.

He was appointed by Lukashenka as the Chairman of the State Border Committee.

2.12.2021

171.

Ihar Mikalaevich GUTNIK

Igor Nikolaevich GUTNIK

Iгар Мiкалаевiч ГУТНIК

Игорь Николаевич ГУТНИК

Position(s): Colonel, Deputy Chairman of the State Border Committee, former Head of the Brest Border Group

DOB: 17.12.1974

POB: Village of Zabolotye, Smolevichi District, Minsk Region/Oblast, former USSR (now Belarus)

Address: 90 Heroes of Defense of the Brest Fortress St., 224018, Brest, Belarus

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

Passport number: BM1962867

In his former position as Head of the Brest Border Group, Ihar Gutnik, who in 2018 became a deputy of the Brest Regional Council as one of the candidates loyal to Lukashenka, was responsible for the actions of the border guards under his command. The deliberate failure of the Brest Border Group to carry out its duties properly facilitates attempts by migrants to cross the border with Union Member States.

He is therefore contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union.

He was appointed by Lukashenka as Deputy Chairman of the State Border Committee.

2.12.2021

173.

Maksim Viktaravich BUTRANETS

Maxim Viktorovich BUTRANETS

Максiм Вiктаравiч БУТРАНЕЦ

Максим Викторович БУТРАНЕЦ

Position(s): Head of the Brest Border Group, former Head of the Smorgon Border Group, Military Unit 2044 (appointed in March 2018), State Border Delegate

DOB: 12.12.1978

POB: Sverdlovsk, former USSR (now Russian Federation)

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

In his former position as Head of the Smorgon Border Group, Maksim Butranets was responsible for actions of border guards under his command. The deliberate failure of the Smorgon Border Group to carry out its duties properly facilitates attempts by migrants to cross the border with Union Member States. Maksim Butranets also stated that the number of migrants at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border remained at the usual level, despite the substantial increase observed on the Lithuanian side. He is therefore contributing to activities by the Lukashenka regime that facilitate the illegal crossing of the external borders of the Union.

He was appointed as the Head of the Brest Border Group.

2.12.2021

195.

Ivan Ivanavich GALAVATYI

Ivan Ivanovich GOLOVATY

Iван Iванавiч ГАЛАВАТЫ

Иван Иванович ГОЛОВАТЫЙ

Position(s): Director-General of the Open Joint Stock Company “Belaruskali”, Chairman of the supervisory board of JSC Belarussian Potash Company.

Member of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for Foreign Affairs and National Security

DOB: 15.6.1976

POB: Pogost Settlement, Soligorsk District, Minsk Province, Belarus

Gender: male

Nationality: Belarusian

Ivan Galavatyi is the director general of the state-owned enterprise Belaruskali, which is a major source of revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenka regime. He is a member of the Council of the Republic and the National Assembly. He also holds multiple other high positions in Belarus and he has received multiple state awards, including from Lukashenka’s hands, during his career. He has been closely associated with Lukashenka and members of his family. He is therefore benefitting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime.

As director general of Belaruskali, Ivan Galavatyi is directly involved in the Lukashenka regime’s relocation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories in collaboration with Russia. Therefore, Ivan Galavatyi supports the Lukashenka regime.

The employees of OJSC “Belaruskali” who took part in strikes and peaceful protests in the aftermath of the fraudulent August 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, were deprived of premiums and laid off. Alexander Lukashenka himself personally threatened to replace the strikers with miners from Ukraine. Therefore, as the head of Belaruskali, Ivan Galavatyi is responsible for the repression of civil society.

3.6.2022

205.

Sviatlana Aliaksandrauna BANDARENKA

Svetlana Aleksandrovna BONDARENKO

Святлана Аляксандраўна БАНДАРЭНКА

Светлана Александровна БОНДАРЕНКО

Position(s): Judge of the Supreme Court of Belarus, former Judge at the court of the Moskovsky district of Minsk

Gender: female

Nationality: Belarusian

In her former position as judge of the Moskovsky district of Minsk, Sviatlana Bandarenka was responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings. She sentenced several Belarusian citizens for participating in protests and publishing anti-government comments on Telegram. She also sentenced the journalist Ekaterina Borisevich and the emergency hospital doctor Artyom Sorokin for disclosing medical secrets about Roman Bondarenko, who was beaten to death by the security forces.

She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus.

She was appointed by Lukashenka as judge of the Supreme Court of Belarus.

3.8.2023’

(2)

in Table ‘B. Legal persons, entities or bodies referred to in Article 4(1)’, entries 17 and 28 are replaced by the following:

 

Names Transcription of Belarusian spelling Transcription of Russian spelling

Names (Belarusian spelling) (Russian spelling)

Identifying Information

Reasons for listing

Date of listing

‘17.

Open Joint Stock Company “Belavia Belarusian Airlines”

ААТ “Авiякампанiя Белавiя”

ОАО “Авиакомпания Белавиа”

Address: 14A Nemiga St., 220004 Minsk, Belarus

Date of registration: 4.1.1996

Registration number: 600390798

OJSC Belavia Belarusian Airlines is the state-owned national flag carrier airline. Belavia also owns and operates Belarusian governmental airplanes used by President Aliaksandr Lukashenka. Aliaksandr Lukashenka promised that his administration would provide all possible support to Belavia after the Union decided to introduce a prohibition on the overflight of Union airspace and on access to Union airports by all Belarusian air carriers. To that end, he agreed with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on planning the opening of new airline routes for Belavia. In 2021, Belavia’s CEO confirmed receiving government support in the restoration of flights to the Russian Federation. The flag carrier airline has also been exempted from paying added value tax by the Belarusian government in respect of aircraft and components imported into the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Furthermore, in 2014, Belavia received loans for the acquisition of new aircraft from a state-owned bank.

Belavia’s management also told its employees not to protest against election irregularities and mass detentions in Belarus, in view of the fact that Belavia is a state-owned enterprise.

Belavia is therefore benefitting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime.

2.12.2021

28.

Open Joint Stock Company “Belaruskali”

Адкрытае акцыянернае таварыства “Беларуськалiй”

Открытое акционерное общество “Беларуськалий”

Address: 5 Korzha St., Soligorsk, 223710 Minsk Region/Oblast, Belarus

Date of registration: 23.12.1996

Registration number: 600122610

OJSC Belaruskali is a state-owned enterprise and one of the biggest potash producers in the world. Despite the decline of its global share in the global potash market from 20 % to 9 % in 2022, Belaruskali remains one of the most significant exporters of potash and a substantial source of revenue for the Belarussian state budget. Alexander Lukashenka described Belaruskali as “a national treasure, pride, one of the pillars of Belarusian exports”. It is also a major source of foreign currency for the Lukashenka regime.

Belaruskali is directly involved in the Lukashenka regime’s relocation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories in collaboration with Russia. Since Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Dubrava facility, which is owned by OJSC Belaruskali, has held more than 2 050 Ukrainian children. Therefore, OJSC “Belaruskali” supports the Lukashenka regime.

The employees of OJSC “Belaruskali” who took part in strikes and peaceful protests in the aftermath of the fraudulent August 2020 presidential elections in Belarus were intimidated and laid off by the company’s management. Alexander Lukashenka himself personally threatened to replace the strikers with miners from Ukraine. Therefore, “Belaruskali” is responsible for the repression of civil society in Belarus and supports the Lukashenka regime.

3.6.2022’


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/769/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)