Belarus

1966-10-29

Lyn'kova Street, 43-51, Minsk, 220124, Belarus

Aliaksey Aleksin (Aleksin) financially benefits from a close relationship with Lukashenka and his family.  A former Presidential Administration employee, Aleksin is also tied to the Bremino Group.  The majority of Aleksin’s fortune is derived from the tobacco industry, through which Lukashenka has provided Aleksin a near-monopoly on production of tobacco products in Belarus.  Through a decree signed by Lukashenka, Aleksin’s former companies Inter Tobacco and Energo-Oil were granted exclusive tobacco import privileges.  Additionally, Lukashenka issued a Presidential decree to re-draw the boundaries of Belarus’s capital, Minsk, to carve out land for Inter Tobacco’s factory — likely for reasons related to tax evasion.  Energo-Oil and Inter Tobacco command an enormous share of the profitable domestic cigarette market in Belarus.  Another of Aleksin’s former companies, Belneftegaz, is the operator of Belarus’s national transit traffic system.  By creating this system, Lukashenka gave virtual control over Belarus’s entire cargo transit network to Aleksin.  Although Aleksin no longer personally owns Energo-Oil and Belneftegaz, they have not left the family, with his sons and wife registered as the owners.  Aleksin is also sanctioned by Canada and the EU.   Aleksin is being designated today 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.  Inter Tobacco and Energo-Oil are being designated pursuant to the E.O. of August 9, 2021 for operating or having operated in the tobacco products sector of the economy of Belarus.  Belneftegaz is being designated pursuant to the E.O. of August 9, 2021 for operating or having operated in the transportation sector of the economy of Belarus.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0315

2021-08-09

US

Belarus Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 548; Executive Order 13405 Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus

OFAC country specific

Belarus

Blocking Property, Suspending Entry

On February 3, 2010, OFAC issued the Belarus Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 548 (75 FR 5502, February 3, 2010 (the “Regulations”), to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 13405 of June 16, 2006, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus” (71 FR 35485, June 20, 2006), pursuant to authorities delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury in E.O. 13405. OFAC subsequently amended the Regulations twice. OFAC is amending and reissuing the Regulations to implement E.O. 14038 of August 9, 2021, “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus” (86 FR 43905, August 11, 2021). In addition, this rule incorporates one directive issued pursuant to E.O. 14038. Due to the number of regulatory sections being updated or added, OFAC is reissuing the Regulations in their entirety.

SDN