For example, the Lukashenka regime granted Varabei’s company BelKazTrans exclusive control over the transit of coal through Belarus. Being in Lukashenka’s inner circle pays dividends for Varabei and businesses owned by or linked to him. 13405, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus.” Lukashenka’s Energy Wallet: Mikalai Varabeiīelarusian businessman Mikalai Varabei (Varabei), who is also sanctioned by Canada, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom (UK), is a Belarusian oligarch closely tied to Lukashenka. On June 20, 2006, the President included Lukashenka in the Annex to E.O. This patronage network sustains Lukashenka’s violent regime at the expense of the Belarusian people. In exchange, they provide funds to Lukashenka and his inner circle, finance Lukashenka’s personal projects, and support the regime publicly. ![]() The designated individuals and entities receive preferential treatment from the Lukashenka regime in the form of monopolies, tax breaks, favorable contracts, and other mechanisms, often codified by presidential decrees signed by Lukashenka himself. ![]() ![]() Today, OFAC is designating individuals and entities that function as the Lukashenka regime’s “wallets,” providing previously-sanctioned Alyaksandr Lukashenka (Lukashenka) with funds to likely enrich Lukashenka personally and finance his corrupt and brutal regime. Together with our Canadian and British partners, today we are demonstrating continued international condemnation of the Lukashenka regime’s undemocratic actions.” Lukashenka’s Wallets We stand with the people of Belarus and will continue to use every tool available, including the new sanctions authority the President signed today, to hold the Lukashenka regime to account for its human rights abuses, corruption, and attacks on democracy. “In response, Lukashenka unleashed a brutal campaign of repression to suppress democracy, while continuing to personally profit from endemic corruption. “One year ago today, Belarusians went to the polls and voted for change,” said Treasury Secretary Janet L. Today’s action represents the largest Belarus-related tranche of designations imposed by OFAC to date. This is the latest action OFAC has taken, in coordination with transatlantic partners, since last year’s fraudulent election to demonstrate international unity against the Belarusian regime’s repression and in support for the Belarusian people’s democratic aspirations. The persons designated today are involved in the continuing violent crackdown on peaceful protests are connected to the May 23, 2021, Ryanair incident or, profit from or sustain the Belarusian regime at the expense of the Belarusian people. ![]() of August 9, 2021) that expands Belarus sanctions authorities. of Aug“Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus” (E.O. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 23 individuals and 21 entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13405, as well as a new E.O. WASHINGTON - Today, on the one-year anniversary of Belarus’s fraudulent Augpresidential election, the U.S. Treasury uses new sanctions authority in support of the Belarusian people
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