On anniversary of flawed election, OFAC ramps up Belarus sanctions
Marking the anniversary of what the US government has called the ‘fraudulent August 2020 Belarusian Presidential election’ during which ‘[President] Lukashenka resorted to brutal crackdowns on peaceful protesters, democratic organizations, and journalists in order to illegitimately retain power,’ on 9 August, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) said it was taking action against ‘19 individuals, 14 entities, and one aircraft pursuant to Belarus-related Executive Order (E.O.) 14038.’
It said, ‘This action targets persons involved in supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine through military resource production and transshipment of goods to Russia, sanctions evasion on behalf of Belarusian defense entities, and revenue generation for Belarusian oligarchs in Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s inner circle. OFAC is concurrently designating five of these targets—three individuals and two entities—pursuant to Russia-related E.O. 14024.’
It also noted that the measures were ‘amplified by actions undertaken by the United States’ partners in the European Union (EU)—who targeted Belarusian authorities involved in human rights abuses earlier this week—and Canada and the United Kingdom.’
Amongst those designated are:
‘LLC Laboratory of Additive Technologies (LAT), also recently known as LLC Laser Devices and Technologies, is identified as a Belarus-based entity focused on research and development in the natural sciences [which also generates] revenue by supplying components to companies, including Peleng, that produce weapons for the Russian Federation and are under U.S. and EU sanctions.’
‘OOO Ruchservomotor (Ruchservomotor) is a Belarusian developer and manufacturer of precision coordinate systems, including high precision milling and engraving products and services.
‘Aviakompaniya Rada LLC (Rada) and UE RubiStar (RubiStar) [which] are two private Belarusian cargo airline companies that have long operated in the international transportation of a variety of products, including general cargo, engineering equipment, live animals, and dangerous goods.
And, ‘Ruzekspeditsiya LLC (Ruzekspeditsiya) and VLATE Logistic LLC (VLATE) [which are] two Belarus-based logistics entities involved in the management of border crossing logistics and transportation services through Belarus to Russia, including the re-export of machinery, hydrocarbons, and Western European goods to Russia. These companies form the core of a logistics network controlled by U.S.-designated Lukashenka ‘wallets’ — Belarusian oligarchs who receive preferential treatment from the GoB in exchange for providing funds to Lukashenka and other members of his inner circle; financing Lukashenka’s personal projects; and publicly supporting the regime.’
For full details of the designations see: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2533
