OFAC adds 8 to Belarus sanctions
By eric9to5 on October 2, 2020 • ( Leave a comment )
Today, OFAC added the following individuals to its Belarus sanctions program:
ATABEKAU, Khazalbek Bakhtsibekavich (Cyrillic: АТАБЕКАЎ, Хазалбек Бахцібекавіч) (a.k.a. ATABEKOV, Khazalbek; a.k.a. ATABEKOV, Khazalbek Bakhtibekovich (Cyrillic: АТАБЕКОВ, Хазалбек Бахтибекович)), Belarus; DOB 18 Mar 1967; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
BALABA, Dzmitriy Uladzimiravich (Cyrillic: БАЛАБА, Дзмітрый Уладзіміравіч) (a.k.a. BALABA, Dmitriy Vladimirovich (Cyrillic: БАЛАБА, Дмитрий Владимирович); a.k.a. BALABA, Dmitry (Cyrillic: БАЛАБА, Дмитрий)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 1972; POB Haradzilava, Minsk Oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
BARSUKOU, Alyaksandr Pyatrovich (Cyrillic: БАРСУКОЎ, Аляксандр Пятровіч) (a.k.a. BARSUKOU, Aliaksandr; a.k.a. BARSUKOU, Alyaksandr; a.k.a. BARSUKOV, Aleksandr; a.k.a. BARSUKOV, Aleksandr Petrovich (Cyrillic: БАРСУКОВ, Александр Петрович); a.k.a. BARSUKOV, Alexander), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 29 Apr 1965; POB Vetkovski District, Homyel Oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
DMUKHAYLA, Alena Mikalaeuna (Cyrillic: ДМУХАЙЛА, Алена Мікалаеўна) (a.k.a. DMUHAILO, Elena; a.k.a. DMUKHAILO, Elena; a.k.a. DMUKHAILO, Yelena Nikolaevna (Cyrillic: ДМУХАЙЛО, Елена Николаевна); a.k.a. DMUKHAYLA, Alena (Cyrillic: ДМУХАЙЛА, Алена)), Belarus; DOB 1971; nationality Belarus; Gender Female (individual) [BELARUS].
IPATAU, Vadzim Dzmitrievich (Cyrillic: ІПАТАЎ, Вадзім Дзмітрыевіч) (a.k.a. IPATAU, Vadzim (Cyrillic: ІПАТАЎ, Вадзім); a.k.a. IPATOV, Vadim; a.k.a. IPATOV, Vadim Dmitrievich (Cyrillic: ИПАТОВ, Вадим Дмитриевич)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 30 Oct 1964; POB Kolomyya, Ukraine; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
KARAEU, Yuriy Khadzymuratavich (Cyrillic: КАРАЕЎ, Юрый Хаджымуратавіч) (a.k.a. KARAEV, Yuri; a.k.a. KARAEV, Yuriy (Cyrillic: КАРАЕВ, Юрий); a.k.a. KARAEV, Yuriy Khadzimuratovich (Cyrillic: КАРАЕВ, Юрий Хаджимуратович); a.k.a. KARAYEV, Yuri), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 21 Jun 1966; POB Vladikavkaz, Russian Federation; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
KUBRAKOU, Ivan Uladzimiravich (Cyrillic: КУБРАКОЎ, Іван Уладзіміравіч) (a.k.a. KUBRAKOV, Ivan (Cyrillic: КУБРАКОВ, Иван); a.k.a. KUBRAKOV, Ivan Vladimirovich (Cyrillic: КУБРАКОВ, Иван Владимирович)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 05 May 1975; POB Malinawka, Mahilyou Oblast, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
NAZARANKA, Yuriy Henadzievich (Cyrillic: НАЗАРАНКА, Юрый Генадзьевіч) (a.k.a. NAZARENKO, Yuri; a.k.a. NAZARENKO, Yuriy Gennadievich (Cyrillic: НАЗАРЕНКО, Юрий Геннадьевич)), Minsk, Belarus; DOB 17 Apr 1976; POB Slonim, Belarus; nationality Belarus; Gender Male (individual) [BELARUS].
And the State Department issued the following press release:
The U.S.' Action Against Belarusian Individuals Involved in Efforts To Undermine Belarusian Democracy
Today, in response to the continued, brutal repression of peaceful, pro-democracy protesters in Belarus, the United States and the European Union have taken coordinated action against Belarusian individuals involved in efforts to undermine Belarusian democracy. The U.S. Departments of Treasury and State have exercised separate authorities against 25 Belarusians involved in the 2020 election falsification and human rights violations, joining 16 Belarusian officials sanctioned in 2006 for similar actions, for a total of 41 Belarusian officials.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned eight additional Belarusian officials for their roles in falsifying results of the August 9, 2020, presidential election and the crackdown that followed, pursuant to Executive Order 13405. They include prominent members of Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime and security apparatus complicit in the violent crackdown on peaceful election-related protests. Those sanctioned today join a group of 16 individuals and nine entities, including Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Central Election Commission Chair Yarmoshina, already sanctioned under E.O. 13405. Those designated will be prohibited from any dealing with U.S. persons or dealings within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons. Any entities owned 50 percent or more by designated persons are also blocked.
In addition, the U.S. Department of State has taken action pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8015 to identify 24 Belarusian individuals responsible for undermining Belarusian democracy and impose visa restrictions on them, which makes them generally ineligible for entry into the United States. Some officials have been named under both authorities.
The United States will continue to demand accountability from the Belarusian government for its suppression of democracy, including from those Belarusian officials designated today and the 16 who remain sanctioned. Today's coordinated action with The European Union demonstrates our strong and continuing commitment to the Belarusian people, who are peacefully demanding their voices be heard, as well as their right to select a leader through free and fair elections.
For more information about today's actions, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1143.
As did the Treasury Department:
Treasury Sanctions Belarus Officials for Undermining Democracy
Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated eight individuals for their roles in the fraudulent August 9, 2020 Belarus presidential election or the subsequent violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. These designations, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13405, target individuals who are responsible for, or have participated in, undermining democratic processes in Belarus. OFAC previously sanctioned 16 Belarusian officials pursuant to E.O. 13405 for their activities in connection with the previous fraudulent 2006 and 2010 elections.
"The Belarusian people's democratic aspirations to choose their own leaders and peacefully exercise their rights have been met with violence and oppression from Belarusian officials," said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The United States and our international partners stand united in imposing costs on those who have undermined Belarusian democracy for years."
Today's action was taken in coordination with our international partners, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union, to demonstrate the international community's solidarity in standing with the Belarusian people against the fraudulent and violent actions of the Belarusian government.
E.O. 13405 was signed by former President George W. Bush following the fundamentally undemocratic elections of March 2006. Today's action marks the first time Treasury has used these authorities since 2011, following another clearly undemocratic election.
TREASURY TARGETS BELARUSIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
Minister of the Interior Yuriy Khadzymuratavich Kareau (Karaeu) and Deputy Minister of the Interior Alyaksandr Pyatrovich Barsukou (Barsukou) direct a law enforcement system that has abused the human rights of Belarusians on streets and in prison cells across the country, at the behest of Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who is sanctioned under E.O. 13405. In addition to leading the crackdown on protesters, Karaeu publicly admitted to being responsible for the police actions against bystanders and claimed that the Belarusian police did not use excessive force against protesters. Barsukou leads the public security police, one of the security services responsible for the violent crackdown on protesters.
Karaeu and Barsukou are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being responsible for, or having participated in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus.
Ivan Uladzimiravich Kubrakou (Kubrakou) and Dzmitriy Uladzimiravich Balaba(Balaba) lead organizations that have beaten and detained peaceful protesters, journalists, and others in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Kubrakou, the head of the Minsk branch of the Ministry of the Interior, oversees the city's policing and prisons, including Akrestsina prison. Kubrakou also made public statements discouraging Belarusians from participating in peaceful, pro-democracy protests and claimed that the protests were trying to destabilize Belarus and cause societal unrest. Balaba commands the Minsk Special Purpose Police Unit, or OMON, whose members have violently suppressed protests and have been responsible for the inhumane treatment of detainees.
Kubrakou and Balaba are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being responsible for, or having participated in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus.
Commander Yuriy Henadzievich Nazaranka (Nazaranka) and Deputy Commander Khazalbek Bakhtsibekavich Atabekau (Atabekau) are leaders of the Ministry of the Interior's Internal Troops, who have been on the frontlines alongside the OMON, suppressing the right to peacefully protest in Belarus. Nazaranka publicly thanked troops involved in the crackdown on protesters and journalists in Minsk for providing security and stability in the city. Atabekau gained international notoriety for overseeing the violence perpetrated against protesters following Belarus' December 2010 election, and has continued to play a key role in cracking down on pro-democracy protests in Belarus.
Nazaranka and Atabekau are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being responsible for, or having participated in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus.
Treasury Targets Threats to Democratic Elections in Belarus
Belarus' Central Election Commission (CEC) Deputy Chairperson Vadzim Dzmitrievich Ipatau (Ipatau) and Secretary Alena Mikalaeuna Dmukhayla(Dmukhayla) are both senior election officials in Belarus. The CEC, led by Chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshina, who is sanctioned under E.O. 13405, managed the undemocratic August 9 presidential election. The election included a myriad of election irregularities, including barring opposition candidates, denying access to poll observers, and falsifying voting results, robbing the Belarusian people of their right to choose their leaders through free and fair elections. Ipatau was directly involved in attempts to legitimize the August 9 presidential election and falsely claimed that the CEC had not received any information regarding interference with poll observers. Ipatau has also been accused of breaching electoral standards in previous elections, including the 2010 election. Dmukhayla was also instrumental in the implementation of undemocratic Belarusian electoral policies in the August 9 presidential election based on her position as Secretary of the CEC.
Ipatau and Dmukhayla are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13405 for being responsible for, or having participated in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Belarus.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the individuals above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or otherwise exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.
State Department Press Release
Treasury Department Press Release
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