Oh, where to start?
First, Directive 1, which prohibits dealing in longer-term debt (>90 days) by the Ministry of Finance and the Development Bank – as of today. It explicitly notes that everything else with those two government entities is authorized – and FAQ 943 makes it clear that this is not subject to the 50 Percent Rule (which is pretty obvious, since it’s not a blocking sanction).
Secondly, the General License – it authorizes wind-down activities with OJSC Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) and Agrorozkvit LLC. You may have seen articles about BPC a while back – BPC is basically the sales agent for Belaruskali, but is not a subsidiary. Mind you, since the potash was from Belaruskali, you haven’t been able to buy anything from BPC for a while now – but you could have been a supplier, I guess (facilitation, maybe). GL 5 is good until end of March next year.
Next, the designations – the people:
ALYOKSA, Aleksandr Ivanovich (Cyrillic: АЛЁКСА, Александр Иванович), 12-27 Golubka St., Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: 12-27, ул. Голубка, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 07 Apr 1978; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3070478A082PB7 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AB8645179 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
BASKAU, Dzmitriy Yurievich (Cyrillic: БАСКАЎ, Дзмітрый Юр'евіч) (a.k.a. BASKAU, Dzmitry; a.k.a. BASKOV, Dmitriy; a.k.a. BASKOV, Dmitriy Yurievich (Cyrillic: БАСКОВ, Дмитрий Юрьевич); a.k.a. BASKOV, Dmitry), ul. M. Bogdanovicha, d. 124, kv. 68, Minsk, Belarus; DOB 25 Aug 1978; POB Minsk, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; Passport MP3727671 (Belarus) issued 16 Sep 2015; National ID No. 3250878A013PB7 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
BEDUNKEVICH, Mikhail Petrovich (Cyrillic: БЕДУНКЕВИЧ, Михаил Петрович) (a.k.a. BEDUNKEVICH, Mikhail), Golubka St., 12-43, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Голубка, 12-43, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 08 Oct 1977; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3081077M065PB7 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AC4352590 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
BUTKEVICH, Ihar Yauhenavich (Cyrillic: БУТКЕВІЧ, Ігар Яўгенавіч) (a.k.a. BUTKEVICH, Igor; a.k.a. BUTKEVICH, Igor Yevgenievich (Cyrillic: БУТКЕВИЧ, Игорь Евгеньевич)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 1969; POB Rakovtsy village, Smorgonskyy district, Grodno oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
CHEMODANOV, Denis Grigorievich (Cyrillic: ЧЕМОДАНОВ, Денис Григорьевич) (a.k.a. CHEMODANOV, Denis), 40-let Pobyedy St., 34-41, Borovlyany village, Minsk Region, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. 40-лет Победы 34-41, Боровляны, Минский р-н д., Belarus); DOB 11 Sep 1977; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3110977B057PB9 (Belarus); Tax ID No. KA6808948 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
GUTNIK, Igor Nikolaevich (Cyrillic: ГУТНИК, Игорь Николаевич) (a.k.a. GUTNIK, Igor (Cyrillic: ГУТНИК, Игорь)), Brest, Belarus; DOB 17 Dec 1974; POB Zabolotye village, Smolevichskiy district, Minsk oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
KORZYUK, Dmitriy Mikhaylovich (Cyrillic: КОРЗЮК, Дмитрий Михайлович) (a.k.a. KORZYUK, Dmitriy (Cyrillic: КОРЗЮК, Дмитрий)), Belarus; DOB 06 Oct 1971; POB Minsk, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
KOVACH, Dmitriy Aleksandrovich (Cyrillic: КОВАЧ, Дмитрий Александрович), Myastrovskaya St., 24-63, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Мястровская, 24-63, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 14 Jan 1979; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3140179M004PB1 (Belarus); Tax ID No. MA6914146 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
LAPO, Anatol Piatrovich (Cyrillic: ЛАПО, Анатоль Пятровіч) (a.k.a. LAPO, Anatol; a.k.a. LAPPO, Anatoliy Petrovich (Cyrillic: ЛАППО, Анатолий Петрович); a.k.a. LAPPO, Anatoly), ul. Yana Chechota 26, kv. 63, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Яна Чечота 26, кв. 63, Минск, Belarus); Community Garden Voskhod-1, 22, Korenevskiy village council, Grodno oblast, Belarus (Cyrillic: сад.тов-во Восход-1, 22, Кореневский с/с, Гродненская обл., Belarus); DOB 24 May 1963; POB Kulakovka village, Belynichskiy district, Mahilyow oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3240563K033PB5 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
LARIN, Oleg Valentinovich (Cyrillic: ЛАРИН, Олег Валентинович) (a.k.a. LARIN, Oleg), Yesenina st., 79-108, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Есенина, 79-108, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 09 Oct 1973; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3091073M001PB6 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AB6103853 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
LUKASHENKA, Dzmitry Aliaksandravich (Cyrillic: ЛУКАШЭНКА, Дзмiтрый Аляксандравiч) (a.k.a. LUKASHENKA, Dzmitry; a.k.a. LUKASHENKO, Dmitri Aleksandrovich; a.k.a. LUKASHENKO, Dmitriy (Cyrillic: ЛУКАШЕНКО, Дмитрий); a.k.a. LUKASHENKO, Dmitry; a.k.a. LUKASHENKO, Dmitry Aleksandrovich (Cyrillic: ЛУКАШЕНКО, Дмитрий Александрович)), Belarus; DOB 23 Mar 1980; POB Mahilyow, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
MAKAREVICH, Andrei Iosifovich (Cyrillic: МАКАРЕВИЧ, Андрей Иосифович), 135A-81, Prospekt Pobyediteley, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: 135А-81, пр-т Победителей, Минск, Belarus); DOB 09 May 1984; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3090584A072PB8 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AC1072277 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
MOLOSTOV, Konstantin Gennadievich (Cyrillic: МОЛОСТОВ, Константин Геннадьевич), Grodno, Belarus; DOB 30 May 1970; POB Krasnoarmeysk, Saratov Oblast, Russia; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
NOVIKAU, Siarhei Ihnatavich (Cyrillic: НОВIКАЎ, Сяргей Ігнатавіч) (a.k.a. NOVIKOV, Sergey Ignatovich (Cyrillic: НОВИКОВ, Сергей Игнатович)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 1968; POB Uvarovichi, Buda-Koshelevskyy district, Homyel oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
PARSHIN, Andrei Yevgenevich (Cyrillic: ПАРШИН, Андрей Евгеньевич) (a.k.a. PARSHIN, Andrey; a.k.a. PARSHIN, Andrey Yevgenievich), Skryganova St., Building 4A, Apt. 211, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: Скрыганова ул., д. 4А, кв. 211, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 19 Feb 1974; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3190274A018PB7 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AA1060533 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
PECHAN, Ihar Mikalaevich (Cyrillic: ПЕЧАНЬ, Ігар Мікалаевіч) (a.k.a. PECHEN, Igor Nikolaevich (Cyrillic: ПЕЧЕНЬ, Игорь Николаевич)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 01 May 1965; POB Smolensk, Russia; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
PODLINEU, Raman Leanidavich (Cyrillic: ПОДЛIНЕЎ, Раман Леанідавіч) (a.k.a. PODLINEV, Roman; a.k.a. PODLINEV, Roman Leonidovich (Cyrillic: ПОДЛИНЕВ, Роман Леонидович)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 1976; POB Kazanka, Nikolaev Oblast, Ukraine; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
SYSOYEV, Vasiliy Vasilievich (Cyrillic: СЫСОЕВ, Василий Васильевич), Syrokomli St., 48-73, Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Сырокомли, 48-73, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 01 Aug 1974; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3010874A112PB7 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AC2366486 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
VASHKEVICH, Vladimir Vladimirovich (Cyrillic: ВАШКЕВИЧ, Владимир Владимирович) (a.k.a. VASHKEVICH, Vladimir), 99-1-39, Mayakovskogo St., Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: 99-1-39, ул. Маяковского, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 29 Nov 1977; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3291177B038PB2 (Belarus); Tax ID No. AB3145969 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
ZHIVLYUK, Aleksandr Pavlovich (Cyrillic: ЖИВЛЮК, Александр Павлович), 62-164 Sukharevskaya St., Minsk, Belarus (Cyrillic: 62-164 ул. Сухаревская, г. Минск, Belarus); DOB 13 Jan 1981; nationality Belarus; Gender Male; National ID No. 3130181C043PB0 (Belarus); Tax ID No. BA9295684 (Belarus) (individual) [BELARUS-EO14038].
and entities:
AGAT ELECTROMECHANICAL PLANT OJSC (a.k.a. AGAT - ELECTROMECHANICAL PLANT JSC; a.k.a. AGAT-ELECTROMECHANICAL PLANT; a.k.a. AGAT-ELEKTROMEKHANICHESKI ZAVOD, OAO (Cyrillic: ОАО АГАТ-ЭЛЕКТРОМЕХАНИЧЕСКИЙ-ЗАВОД); a.k.a. JSC AGAT - ELECTROMECHANICAL PLANT), 117, bld. 3, Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk 220114, Belarus; Nezavisimosti ave. 115, Minsk 220114, Belarus; 6 Volgogradskaya St., Minsk 220012, Belarus; Organization Established Date 23 Feb 1993; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Registration Number 100093400 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
AGROROZKVIT LLC (Cyrillic: ООО АГРОРОЗКВИТ) (a.k.a. AGROROZKVIT TOV; a.k.a. TOVARYSTVO Z OBMEZHENOYU VIDPOVIDALNISTYU AGROROZKVIT), Bud. 44b Inshe Poverkh 2, vul. Evgena Konovaltsya Pechersky R-N, Kyiv 01133, Ukraine; Organization Established Date 07 May 2016; Registration Number 406289726553 (Ukraine) [BELARUS-EO14038].
CJSC BELTECHEXPORT (Cyrillic: ЗАО БЕЛТЕХЭКСПОРТ) (a.k.a. BELTECHEXPORT; a.k.a. BELTECHEXPORT COMPANY; a.k.a. BELTECHEXPORT COMPANY CJSC), Nezavisimosti Ave. 86-B, Minsk 220012, Belarus; Organization Established Date 26 Jan 1993 [BELARUS-EO14038].
FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY SLAVKALI (a.k.a. INOSTRANNOYE OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU SLAVKALIY (Cyrillic: ИНОСТРАННОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО С ОГРАНИЧЕННОЙ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОСТЬЮ СЛАВКАЛИЙ); a.k.a. IOOO SLAVKALI (Cyrillic: ИООО СЛАВКАЛИЙ); a.k.a. SLAVKALI INOSTRANNOE OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOI OTVETSTVENNOSTIYU; a.k.a. SLAVKALI IOOO; a.k.a. SLAVKALIY (Cyrillic: СЛАВКАЛИЙ); a.k.a. SLAVKALY FLLC; a.k.a. ZAMEZHNAYE TAVARYSTVA Z ABMEZHAVANAY ADKAZNASTSYU SLAUKALIY (Cyrillic: ЗАМЕЖНАЕ ТАВАРЫСТВА З АБМЕЖАВАНАЙ АДКАЗНАСЦЮ СЛАЎКАЛІЙ); a.k.a. ZTAA SLAUKALIY (Cyrillic: ЗТАА СЛАЎКАЛІЙ)), Lyubanskiy District, Pervomaiskaya St, Building 35, Office 3.1, Lyuban City, Minsk Oblast 223810, Belarus (Cyrillic: Любанский район, ул. Первомайская, д. 35, каб. 3.1, г. Любань, Минская область 223810, Belarus); d. 35, kab. 3.1, ul. Pervomaiskaya g. s/s, Lyuban Lyubanksi Raion, Minskaya Obl. 223810, Belarus; Organization Established Date 25 Oct 2011; Registration Number 191689538 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
JOINT STOCK COMPANY 140 REPAIR PLANT (a.k.a. 140 REMONTNY ZAVOD OAO; a.k.a. 140 REMONTNYI ZAVOD OAO (Cyrillic: OAO 140 РЕМОНТНЫЙ ЗАВОД); a.k.a. 140 REPAIR PLANT JOINT STOCK COMPANY; a.k.a. 140 REPAIR PLANT OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY; a.k.a. 140TH REPAIR PLANT JSC; a.k.a. JSC 140 REPAIR PLANT; a.k.a. OJSC 140 REPAIR PLANT), 19, Chalovskaya St., Borisov, Minsk Region 222512, Belarus; 19, L. Chalovskoi Str., Borisov 222512, Belarus; Organization Established Date 23 Dec 2009; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Government Gazette Number 14512525 (Belarus); Registration Number 600136102 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
JSC TRANSAVIAEXPORT AIRLINES (a.k.a. AAT AVIAKAMPANIIA TRANSAVIIAEKSPART (Cyrillic: ААТ АВIЯКАМПАНIЯ ТРАНСАВIЯЭКСПАРТ); a.k.a. ADKRYTAE AKTSYIANERNAE TAVARYSTVA AVIIAKAMPANIIA TRANSAVIIAEKSPART (Cyrillic: АДКРЫТАЕ АКЦЫЯНЕРНАЕ ТАВАРЫСТВА АВIЯКАМПАНIЯ ТРАНСАВIЯЭКСПАРТ); a.k.a. AVIAKOMPANIYA TRANSAVIAEKSPORT OAO; a.k.a. JOINT STOCK COMPANY TRANSAVIAEXPORT AIRLINES; a.k.a. OAO AVIAKOMPANIYA TRANSAVIAEKSPORT (Cyrillic: ОАО АВИАКОМПАНИЯ ТРАНСАВИАЭКСПОРТ); a.k.a. OTKRYTOYE AKTSIONERNOYE OBSCHESTVO AVIAKOMPANIYA TRANSAVIAEKSPORT; a.k.a. TRANSAVIAEXPORT AIRLINES), 44, Zakharova Str., Minsk 220034, Belarus (Cyrillic: Ул. Захарова, 44, Минск 220034, Belarus); Organization Established Date 28 Dec 1992; Registration Number 100027245 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
KIDMA TECH OJSC (a.k.a. AAT KIDMA TEK (Cyrillic: ААТ КIДМА ТЭК); a.k.a. ADKRYTAE AKTSYIANERNAE TAVARYSTVA KIDMA TEK (Cyrillic: АДКРЫТАЕ АКЦЫЯНЕРНАЕ ТАВАРЫСТВА КIДМА ТЕК); f.k.a. BSVT - NEW TECHNOLOGIES; f.k.a. BSVT-NT; a.k.a. OAO KIDMA TEK (Cyrillic: ОАО КИДМА ТЕК); f.k.a. OBSCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU BSVT-NOVIYE TEKHNOLOGII (Cyrillic: ОБЩЕСТВО С ОГРАНИЧЕННОЙ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОСТЬЮ БСВТ-НОВЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ); a.k.a. OTKRYTOYE AKTSIONERNOYE OBSCHESTVO KIDMA TEK (Cyrillic: ОТКРЫТОЕ АКЦИОНЕРНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО КИДМА ТЕК)), Room 20, Administrative Building 187, Soltysa St., Minsk 220070, Belarus; D. 5/1, Ustenskiy Selsovyet, Vitebskaya Oblast, Orshanskiy Rayon, Ag. Ustye 211003, Belarus (Cyrillic: Д. 5/1, Устенский сельсовет, Витебская Область, Оршанский Район, аг. Устье 211003, Belarus); Organization Established Date 18 Jul 2012; Registration Number 191607211 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
OOO GARDSERVIS (Cyrillic: ООО ГАРДСЕРВИС) (f.k.a. BELSECURITYGROUP; a.k.a. GARDSERVICE; f.k.a. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY BELSEKYURITIGRUPP (Cyrillic: ОБЩЕСТВО С ОГРАНИЧЕННОЙ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОСТЬЮ БЕЛСЕКЬЮРИТИГРУПП); a.k.a. OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOY OTVETSTVENNOSTYU GARDSERVIS (Cyrillic: ОБЩЕСТВО С ОГРАНИЧЕННОЙ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОСТЬЮ ГАРДСЕРВИС); a.k.a. TAA HARDSERVIS (Cyrillic: ТАА ГАРДСЭРВІС); a.k.a. TAVARYSTVA Z ABMEZHAVANAY ADKAZNASTSYU HARDSERVIS (Cyrillic: ТАВАРЫСТВА З АБМЕЖАВАНАЙ АДКАЗНАСЦЮ ГАРДСЭРВІС)), Karvata St., Building 85, Minsk 220138, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Карвата, д. 85, Минск 220138, Belarus); Organization Established Date 19 Nov 2019; Registration Number 193344802 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY BELARUSIAN POTASH COMPANY (a.k.a. AAT BELARUSKAYA KALIYNAYA KAMPANIYA (Cyrillic: ААТ БЕЛАРУСКАЯ КАЛІЙНАЯ КАМПАНІЯ); a.k.a. ADKRYTAYE AKTSYYANERNAYE TAVARYSTVA BELARUSKAYA KALIYNAYA KAMPANIYA (Cyrillic: АДКРЫТАЕ АКЦЫЯНЕРНАЕ ТАВАРЫСТВА БЕЛАРУСКАЯ КАЛІЙНАЯ КАМПАНІЯ); a.k.a. BELARUSIAN POTASH COMPANY (Cyrillic: БЕЛОРУССКАЯ КАЛИЙНАЯ КОМПАНИЯ); a.k.a. BELORUSSKAYA KALINAYA KOMPANIYA OAO; a.k.a. JSC BELARUSIAN POTASH COMPANY; a.k.a. OAO BELORUSSKAYA KALIYNAYA KOMPANIYA (Cyrillic: ОАО БЕЛОРУССКАЯ КАЛИЙНАЯ КОМПАНИЯ); a.k.a. OJSC BELARUSIAN POTASH COMPANY; a.k.a. OTKRYTOYE AKTSIONERNOYE OBSHCHESTVO BELORUSSKAYA KALIYNAYA KOMPANIYA (Cyrillic: ОТКРЫТОЕ АКЦИОНЕРНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО БЕЛОРУССКАЯ КАЛИЙНАЯ КОМПАНИЯ)), Masherova Ave, Building 35, Room 644, Minsk 220002, Belarus (Cyrillic: пр-т Машерова, д. 35, пом. 644, Минск 220002, Belarus); Organization Established Date 13 Sep 2013; Registration Number 192050251 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
PELENG JSC (Cyrillic: ПЕЛЕНГ) (f.k.a. CENTRAL DESIGN DEPARTMENT PELENG; f.k.a. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF VAVILOVA PLANT; a.k.a. PELENG JOINT-STOCK COMPANY; a.k.a. PELENG OAO), 25 Makayonka St., Minsk 220114, Belarus; 25 Makaenka St., Minsk 220114, Belarus; Organization Established Date 11 Mar 1994; Government Gazette Number 07526946 (Belarus); Registration Number 100230519 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
REPUBLICAN STATE PUBLIC ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTIAL SPORTS CLUB (a.k.a. PREZIDENTSKI SPARTYUNY KLUB (Cyrillic: ПРЭЗІДЭНЦКІ СПАРТЫЎНЫ КЛУБ); a.k.a. PREZIDENTSKIY SPORTIVNIY KLUB (Cyrillic: ПРЕЗИДЕНТСКИЙ СПОРТИВНЫЙ КЛУБ); a.k.a. RESPUBLIKANSKAYE DZYARZHAUNA-HRAMADSKAYE ABYADNANNYE PREZIDENTSKI SPARTYUNY KLUB (Cyrillic: РЭСПУБЛІКАНСКАЕ ДЗЯРЖАЎНА-ГРАМАДСКАЕ АБ'ЯДНАННЕ ПРЭЗІДЭНЦКІ СПАРТЫЎНЫ КЛУБ); a.k.a. RESPUBLIKANSKOYE GOSUDARSTVENNO-OBSHCHESTVENNOYE OBYEDINENIE PREZIDENTSKIY SPORTIVNIY KLUB (Cyrillic: РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКОЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННО-ОБЩЕСТВЕННОЕ ОБЪЕДИНЕНИЕ ПРЕЗИДЕНТСКИЙ СПОРТИВНЫЙ КЛУБ); a.k.a. "PRESIDENTIAL SPORTS CLUB"), ul. Starovilenskaya, d. 4, Minsk 220029, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Старовиленская, д. 4, г. Минск 220029, Belarus); Organization Established Date 07 Jul 2005; Registration Number 805000023 (Belarus) [BELARUS].
REPUBLICAN UNITARY ENTERPRISE TSENTRKURORT (a.k.a. CENTRKURORT; a.k.a. DZYARZHAUNAYE PRADPRYEMSTVA TSENTRKURORT (Cyrillic: ДЗЯРЖАЎНАЕ ПРАДПРЫЕМСТВА ЦЭНТРКУРОРТ); a.k.a. GOSUDARSTVENNOYE PREDPRIYATIYE TSENTRKURORT (Cyrillic: ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЕ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЕ ЦЕНТРКУРОРТ); a.k.a. RESPUBLIKANSKAYE UNITARNAYE PRADPRYEMSTVA TSENTRKURORT (Cyrillic: РЭСПУБЛІКАНСКАЕ ЎНІТАРНАЕ ПРАДПРЫЕМСТВА ЦЭНТРКУРОРТ); a.k.a. RESPUBLIKANSKOYE UNITARNOYE PREDPRIYATIYE TSENTRKURORT (Cyrillic: РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКОЕ УНИТАРНОЕ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЕ ЦЕНТРКУРОРТ); a.k.a. STATE ENTERPRISE TSENTRKURORT; a.k.a. TSENTRKURORT), ul. Myasnikova, d. 39, kom. 338, Minsk 220048, Belarus (Cyrillic: ул. Мясникова, д. 39, ком. 338, г. Минск 220048, Belarus); Organization Established Date 19 Jul 2000; Organization Type: Tour operator activities; alt. Organization Type: Travel agency activities; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Registration Number 100726604 (Belarus) [BELARUS-EO14038].
and aircraft!:
EW-001PH; Aircraft Manufacture Date 2018; Aircraft Model Agusta-Westland AW-139; Aircraft Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN) 31835 (aircraft) [BELARUS-EO14038] (Linked To: FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY SLAVKALI).
EW-78779; Aircraft Manufacture Date 1988; Aircraft Model IL-76TD; Aircraft Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN) 83489662 (aircraft) [BELARUS-EO14038] (Linked To: JSC TRANSAVIAEXPORT AIRLINES).
EW-78843; Aircraft Manufacture Date 1990; Aircraft Model IL-76TD; Aircraft Manufacturer's Serial Number (MSN) 1003403082 (aircraft) [BELARUS-EO14038] (Linked To: JSC TRANSAVIAEXPORT AIRLINES).
And we have one updated FAQ (918):
918. What does Belarus General License 4 (GL 4), “Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Belaruskali OAO,” authorize? Answer
GL 4 authorizes, through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, December 8, 2021, all transactions and activities prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving Belaruskali OAO, or any entity in which Belaruskali OAO owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, subject to the terms of the license. GL 4 does not authorize the entry into new purchase contracts, or the stockpiling of inventory, involving Belaruskali OAO, or any entity in which Belaruskali OAO owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, on or after August 9, 2021 that are not ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions. After the expiration of GL 4, unless exempt or authorized by OFAC, U.S. persons will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with Belaruskali OAO, or any entity in which Belaruskali OAO owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, and must block property or interests in property of such persons that are in, or come within, the United States, or the possession or control of a U.S. person.
and a bunch of new ones:
939. What does Belarus General License 5 (GL 5), “Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Potash Company or Agrorozkvit LLC,” authorize? Answer
GL 5 authorizes, through 12:01a.m. eastern standard time, April 1, 2022, all transactions and activities prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) or Agrorozkvit LLC, or any entity in which BPC or Agrorozkvit LLC owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, including the wind down of such transactions in which Belaruskali OAO has a property interest (e.g., certain resale transactions by BPC or Agrorozkvit LLC of product sourced from Belaruskali OAO).
However, GL 5 does not authorize direct transactions with Belaruskali OAO, and does not extend Belarus GL 4, which expires at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, December 8, 2021. Please see FAQ 918 for further details on the scope of GL 4.
GL 5 also does not authorize the entry into new purchase contracts, or the stockpiling of inventory, involving BPC or Agrorozkvit LLC, or any entity in which BPC or Agrorozkvit LLC owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, that are not ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions.
940. What does Directive 1 under Executive Order (E.O.) 14038 do?Answer
Pursuant to Directive 1 under E .O. 14038, the following activities by U.S. persons or within the United States are prohibited, except to the extent provided by law or unless licensed or otherwise authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control: all transactions in, provision of financing for, and other dealings in new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued on or after December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus. These prohibitions apply to all denominations of debt.
Further, except to the extent otherwise provided by law or unless licensed or otherwise authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the following are also prohibited: (1) any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions contained in Directive 1 under E.O. 14038; and (2) any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions in Directive 1 under E.O. 14038.
941. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings in both the primary and secondary markets for new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued on or after December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?Answer
Yes.
942. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in dealings related to debt issued before December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus? Answer
No, so long as the terms of such debt (including the repayment period, the interest rate, and the amount) were contractually agreed to before December 2, 2021 and are not modified on or after December 2, 2021.
943. Does the 50 Percent Rule apply to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038?Answer
No. The prohibitions in Directive 1 do not apply to any entity that is owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, whether individually or in the aggregate.
944. What constitutes “debt” pursuant to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038? Answer
The term debt includes bonds, loans, extensions of credit, loan guarantees, letters of credit, drafts, bankers’ acceptances, discount notes or bills, or commercial paper.
945. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in all activities with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?Answer
No. Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in only certain activities with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, as explained in FAQ 940.
All other activities with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, or involving their property or interests in property, are permitted, provided such activities are not otherwise prohibited pursuant to E.O. 14038, any Executive order issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13405, or any other sanctions program implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
946. Can U.S. financial institutions continue to maintain correspondent accounts and process U.S. dollar-clearing transactions for the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?Answer
Yes. U.S. financial institutions may continue to maintain correspondent accounts and process U.S. dollar-clearing transactions for the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, provided such activity is not otherwise prohibited pursuant to E.O. 14038, any Executive order issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13405, or any other sanctions program implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
947. If a U.S. person entered into a revolving credit facility or long-term loan agreement for a person determined to be subject to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prior to December 2, 2021, what are the restrictions on drawdowns from that facility? Do all drawdowns and disbursements pursuant to the parent agreement need to carry repayment terms of 90 days or less?Answer
If a U.S. person entered into a revolving credit facility or long-term loan agreement prior to December 2, 2021, drawdowns and disbursements with repayment terms of 90 days or less are permitted. In addition, drawdowns and disbursements whose repayment terms exceed 90 days are not prohibited if the terms of such drawdowns and disbursements (including the length of the repayment period, the interest rate applied to the drawdown, and the maximum drawdown amount) were contractually agreed to prior to December 2, 2021 and are not modified on or after December 2, 2021. U.S. persons may not deal in a drawdown or disbursement initiated on or after December 2, 2021 with a repayment term that is greater than 90 days if the terms of the drawdown or disbursement were negotiated on or after December 2, 2021. Such a newly negotiated drawdown or disbursement would constitute a prohibited extension of credit.
948. Does Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibit U.S. persons from entering into derivatives contracts linked to new debt issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus?Answer
Yes. Transactions by U.S. persons and within the United States involving derivative products whose value is linked to an underlying asset that constitutes prohibited debt issued by a person subject to Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 are prohibited, unless otherwise authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Lastly, press releases – by Treasury:
PRESS RELEASES
Treasury Expands Sanctions Against Belarusian Regime with Partners and Allies
December 2, 2021
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in response to the Lukashenka regime’s blatant disregard for international norms and the wellbeing of its own citizens, is designating 20 individuals and 12 entities and identifying three aircraft as blocked property pursuant to Executive Orders (E.O.) 14038 and 13405. The persons designated today have enabled the regime’s migrant smuggling into the European Union (EU), have taken part in the ongoing crackdown on human rights and democracy, and have propped up the regime financially. As part of today’s action, Treasury is also imposing restrictions on dealings in new issuances of Belarusian sovereign debt in the primary and secondary markets, aligning with actions recently taken by allies and partners. These actions reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to impose costs on the Lukashenka regime for enabling corruption, human rights abuses, inhumane exploitation of vulnerable people and orchestration of irregular migration, and attacks against democratic freedoms and international norms.
“The United States stands alongside its international partners and allies in imposing costs on the Lukashenka regime for its deplorable behavior, including migrant smuggling,” said Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control Andrea M. Gacki. “Treasury will continue to work with the international community to address the Lukashenka regime’s repression, corruption, and flaunting of internationally recognized human rights.”
Today’s action comprises Treasury’s fifth tranche of Belarus-related sanctions since the fraudulent August 9, 2020 presidential election in Belarus. It continues the U.S. government’s coordinated, international effort with its transatlantic partners to hold the Lukashenka regime to account. This action is being taken in coordination with the EU, the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada and reflects the United States’ commitment to acting with its allies and partners to demonstrate a broad unity of purpose. As noted in Treasury’s recent sanctions review, sanctions are most effective when coordinated where possible with allies and partners who can magnify the economic and political impact.
IMPOSING SOVEREIGN DEBT RESTRICTIONS ON BELARUS
As part of today’s action, OFAC is issuing a new Belarus-related directive to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its actions and align with recent actions by U.S. partners and allies. Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 prohibits transactions in, provision of financing for, or other dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States in new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued on or after December 2, 2021 by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus. OFAC determined that the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus and the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, which are involved in the issuance of new debt for the Government of Belarus (GoB), are political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities of the GoB pursuant to E.O. 14038, as described in Directive 1 under E.O. 14038. OFAC is providing additional public guidance on the scope and implications of Directive 1 under E.O. 14038 through the issuance of several Frequently Asked Questions (939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, and 948) available on the Treasury website.
Since June 2021, partners and allies, including the EU, UK, Canada, and Switzerland, have targeted new issuances of Belarusian sovereign debt in the primary and secondary markets in an effort to hold the Lukashenka regime responsible for its ongoing malign behavior. The addition of U.S. restrictions on dealings in new issuances of Belarusian sovereign debt in the primary and secondary markets demonstrates close coordination with partners and allies to restrict the Lukashenka regime’s access to international capital markets.
TARGETING MIGRANT SMUGGLING AND VICTIMIZATION OF MIGRANTS
Since June 2021, when U.S.-sanctioned Alyaksandr Lukashenka (Lukashenka) threatened, in response to EU sanctions, to erode EU border security by allowing the trafficking of drugs and migrants, his regime has orchestrated irregular migration across its borders into neighboring EU member states Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The Lukashenka regime is luring migrants, including many families with small children, to travel to Belarus by coordinating the issuance of visas, increasing flights from the Middle East to Belarus, and then transporting people to the borders of EU member states. Once at the border, Belarusian officials direct and force migrants across the border to facilitate their passage into the EU. Belarusian authorities do not allow them to return to Minsk, so many migrants are now stuck at the border in Belarus, exposed to harsh winter conditions that have already claimed the lives of at least a dozen vulnerable individuals.
Republican Unitary Enterprise Tsentrkurort (Tsentrkurort), Belarus’s state-owned tourism company, has played a key role in orchestrating irregular migration via Belarus to the EU. Tsentrkurort is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, the GoB. In addition, OFAC is designating seven GoB officials who hold leadership positions in the Belarusian State Border Committee, the state body responsible for border security and policy. Those officials are: Chairman Anatol Lapo; Deputy Chairmen Ihar Butkevich, Raman Podlineu, Ihar Pechan, and Siarhei Novikau; and the heads of two border groups responsible for sections of the border with the EU, Konstantin Molostov and Igor Gutnik. Each of these officials is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been an official of the GoB.
BELARUSIAN STATE-OWNED CARGO CARRIER
OFAC is also designating JSC Transaviaexport Airlines (Transaviaexport), a GoB-controlled cargo carrier in Belarus that has shipped thousands of tons of ammunition and weapons to foreign conflict zones, such as in Libya. Transaviaexport is being designated for operating or having operated in the transportation sector of the economy of Belarus and for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the GoB. Two aircraft, EW-78843 and EW-78779, are being identified as property in which Transaviaexport has an interest.
DESIGNATIONS IN THE DEFENSE AND SECURITY SECTORS
OFAC is designating five entities that either produce or export Belarusian defense materials and supply funds to the Lukashenka regime. The Belarusian defense industry focuses on the development and production of military radio-electronics, optics and optical electronics (including for use in satellites), chassis for missile systems, and software for military information systems and weapons control systems. Most of the Belarusian defense industry’s profits go toward the state budget and are not reinvested in the industry itself.
CJSC Beltechexport (Beltechexport) is an authorized state special exporter in Belarus and an integral part of the Belarusian defense industry. Closely associated with the Belarusian Ministry of Defense, Beltechexport exports weapons and military equipment produced by Belarusian state-owned enterprises (SOEs) worldwide. Beltechexport is a direct participant in establishing military-technical cooperation between Belarus and other countries, thereby providing ongoing financial and economic support to the GoB. Beltechexport is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the economy of Belarus. The EU and UK sanctioned Beltechexport in December 2020.
AGAT Electromechanical Plant OJSC (AGAT) and Joint Stock Company 140 Repair Plant (140 Repair Plant) are SOEs that produce special purpose equipment for Belarusian military and law enforcement agencies. In particular, AGAT’s riot control barrier system and 140 Repair Plant’s armored vehicles were deployed against peaceful demonstrators after the fraudulent August 2020 presidential election in Belarus. AGAT and 140 Repair Plant are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the GoB. The EU and UK sanctioned AGAT and 140 Repair Plant in December 2020.
Kidma Tech OJSC (Kidma Tech) and JSC Peleng (Peleng) are key firms in the Belarusian defense industry. Kidma Tech — formerly known as BSVT–New Technologies until a recent rebranding — produces and exports defense equipment, including surveillance systems, on behalf of the Lukashenka regime. Peleng, an SOE, not only manufactures defense products but also produces equipment for forensic, security, and surveillance systems. Kidma Tech and Peleng are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Belarus economy. Peleng is also being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the security sector of the Belarus economy.
OOO Gardservis (Gardservis) is the first government-backed security force to be established within Belarus and has ties to both the Lukashenka regime and U.S.-designated Aliaksey Aleksin. Gardservis derives its right to own military weapons and provide security services in Belarus from an order signed by Lukashenka himself in 2020. Gardservis is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the security sector of the Belarus economy.
INCREASED SANCTIONS ON THE POTASH SECTOR OF THE BELARUS ECONOMY
OFAC is designating additional entities to limit the financial benefits that the Lukashenka regime derives from potash exports. These designations follow OFAC’s August 9, 2021 designation of the major potash entity in Belarus, the Belarusian SOE Belaruskali OAO.
Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) handles the trading and exportation of potash for Belaruskali OAO. Owned by multiple Belarusian SOEs, including Belaruskali OAO, BPC is a key facilitator of Belarus potash exports worldwide. BPC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the potash sector of the economy of Belarus. In addition, BPC subsidiary Agrorozkvit LLC (Agrorozkvit) is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, BPC.
In addition, OFAC is issuing Belarus General License 5 (GL 5) to provide U.S. persons approximately 120 days in which to wind down transactions involving BPC or Agrorozkvit, or any entity in which BPC or Agrorozkvit owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, including the wind down of such transactions in which Belaruskali OAO has a property interest.
Another potash company that provides revenue to the Lukashenka regime is Foreign Limited Liability Company Slavkali (Slavkali), which produces potash fertilizers in Belarus. Slavkali is currently constructing a mining facility that is the largest investment project in Belarus. Slavkali is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for operating or having operated in the potash sector of the economy of Belarus.
As part of the designation of Slavkali, OFAC is identifying a luxury helicopter, EW-001PH, as property in which Slavkali has an interest. Painted in the colors of the Belarusian flag with the state seal emblazoned on the seats, EW-001PH was purchased by and is owned by Slavkali and has been used to ferry Lukashenka between his suburban residence and Minsk.
ADDITIONAL BELARUSIAN OFFICIALS
Security Officials Involved in the GoB’s Continued Crackdown
To continue to expose and pressure those repressing civil society in Belarus, OFAC is designating ten senior officials of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption of the MVD of the Republic of Belarus (GUBOPiK): its head, Andrey Parshin; deputies Oleg Larin, Denis Chemodanov¸ and Mikhail Bedunkevich; and divisional leaders Vasiliy Sysoyev, Dmitriy Kovach, Aleksandr Zhivlyuk¸ Andrei Makarevich, Vladimir Vashkevich, and Aleksandr Alyoksa. OFAC designated GUBOPiK on June 21, 2021, pursuant to E.O 13405 for being responsible for, or having participated in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus. GUBOPiK and its members have physically suppressed and detained participants in peaceful protest actions preceding and following the fraudulent 2020 presidential election in Belarus.
All ten GUBOPiK officials are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been an official of the GoB.
Officials Closely Linked to the Lukashenka Family
OFAC is designating Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s middle son Dzmitry Lukashenka(Dzmitry) pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being a senior-level official, a family member of such an official, or a person closely linked to such an official who is responsible for or has engaged in public corruption related to Belarus. Dzmitry’s older brother Viktar and father Alyaksandr have been sanctioned since 2006 when they were included in the Annex to E.O. 13405. In addition, OFAC is designating the Republican State-Public Association Presidential Sports Club (Presidential Sports Club), which Dzmitry leads. The Presidential Sports Club is part of an alleged corruption scheme in Belarus. The Presidential Sports Club is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Dzmitry. The EU sanctioned Dzmitry in June 2021.
Dmitriy Mikhaylovich Korzyuk (Korzyuk) is the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and the former head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. Korzyuk is a close associate of Viktar Lukashenka and Dzmitry Lukashenka. Korzyuk is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been an official of the GoB.
A member of the executive committee of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (Belarusian NOC), which OFAC designated on August 9, 2021, Dzmitriy Yurievich Baskau (Baskau) resigned from his position in charge of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation after the International Ice Hockey Federation suspended him in September 2021 for allegedly threatening Belarusian athletes for their political views. Soon thereafter, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, praising Baskau’s loyalty, appointed him to Belarus’s upper legislative chamber, the Council of the Republic. Baskau coaches Lukashenka’s youngest son, Mikalay, as well as Lukashenka’s presidential hockey team, and has long benefited from his connections to and public support for the Lukashenka regime and family. Baskau, alongside Dzmitry Shakuta, whom OFAC designated on August 9, 2021, is also alleged to have been involved in the murder of Belarusian opposition activist and children’s art teacher Raman Bandarenka in November 2020. Baskau is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14038 for being or having been an official of the GoB and for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the Belarusian NOC.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of Treasury’s actions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
and State:
Accountability for the Lukashenka Regime’s Continued Acts of Repression and Disregard for International Norms
PRESS STATEMENT
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
DECEMBER 2, 2021Share
In coordination with international allies and partners, today we are taking additional measures to raise the cost on Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his regime for their ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms, and for their brutal repression of Belarusians both inside and outside the country. These steps represent our third coordinated action with allies this year and are a further consequence of the Belarusian authorities continued flagrant disregard for human rights and Belarus’s failure to comply with its obligations under international human rights law.
Pursuant to Executive Orders 13405 and 14038, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has identified three aircraft as blocked property and designated 32 individuals and entities, including Belarusian state-owned enterprises, government officials, and other persons, who support the regime and facilitate its repression. Additionally, OFAC has issued a directive prohibiting certain activities involving new debt with a maturity of greater than 90 days issued by the Belarusian Ministry of Finance or the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus.
Today’s actions demonstrate our unwavering determination to act in the face of a brutal regime that increasingly represses Belarusians, undermines the peace and security of Europe, and continues to abuse people seeking only to live in freedom. These sanctions are also in response to the Lukashenka regime’s callous exploitation of vulnerable migrants from other countries in order to orchestrate migrant smuggling along its border with EU states.
The United States welcomes the steps taken today against the Lukashenka regime by our allies and partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada. We also commend Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, for their response to the migrant crisis created by the Lukashenka regime on their borders.
The migrant crisis is only the latest example of the Lukashenka regime’s repressive brutality and blatant disregard for international norms. It is unjustly detaining nearly 900 political prisoners, with some languishing in prison on fabricated charges for over a year, while others are serving lengthy prison sentences for exercising their fundamental freedoms. Nearly all independent media outlets are shuttered, and Belarusian authorities are attempting to silence NGOs and civil society using fabricated “extremism” charges. This repression extends beyond Belarus’s borders, with Belarusians facing intimidation abroad, such as when it forced the diversion to Minsk of Ryanair Flight 4978 for the apparent purpose of arresting Belarusian journalist Raman Pratasevich.
Our position is clear: The United States calls on the Lukashenka regime to end its crackdown on members of civil society, independent media, the political opposition, athletes, students, legal professionals and other Belarusians; to immediately release all political prisoners; to engage in a sincere dialogue with the democratic opposition and civil society; to fulfill its international human rights obligations; to stop its coercion of vulnerable people; and to hold free and fair elections under international observation. We will continue working with the international community to promote accountability for those responsible for repression and human rights violations and abuses in Belarus.
Standing with the people of Belarus in support of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, we will respond to Belarus’ intransigence by directly raising the costs of doing business for and with the Lukashenka regime.
Links: