COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1592

3.8.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | LI 195/31 ---|---|---|--- * * * COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1592 of 3 August 2023 implementing Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP of 15 October 2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine (1), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) | On 15 October 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/642/CFSP. ---|--- (2) | In view of the gravity of the situation in Belarus and its involvement in the Russian aggression against Ukraine, 38 individuals and three entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP. ---|--- (3) | Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP is hereby amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Brussels, 3 August 2023. For the Council The President P. NAVARRO RÍOS * * * (1) OJ L 285, 17.10.2012, p. 1. * * * ANNEX Annex I to Decision 2012/642/CFSP is amended as follows: (1) | the following natural persons are added to table ‘A. Natural persons referred to in Articles 3(1) and 4(1)’: | | Names (Transliteration of Belarusian spelling) (Transliteration of Russian spelling) | Names (Belarusian spelling) (Russian spelling) | Identifying Information | Reasons for listing | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|---|--- ‘196. | Aliaksandr Uladzimirovich KARNIENKA Alexander Vladimirovich KORNIENKO | Аляксандр Уладзiмiравiч КАРНIЕНКА Александр Владимирович КОРНИЕНКО | Position(s): Former head of the Penal Colony IK-17 Shklov, Lieutenant Colonel of the Internal Service Current position: District Inspector, Department of Internal Affairs of the Slutsk District Executive Committee DOB: 9.1.1979 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian | In his position as former head of Penal Colony IK-17 in Shklov, Aliaksandr Karnienka is responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture, inflicted on the political prisoners and other citizens detained in that penal colony in the wake of the 2020 presidential election and the ensuing peaceful protests. He was the head of the penal colony at the time of the death of the political prisoner Vitold Ashurak in that penal colony on 21 May 2021, in unexplained circumstances. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 197. | Andrei Siarheevich PALCHIK Andrei Sergeevich PALCHIK | Андрэй Сяргеевiч ПАЛЬЧЫК Андрей Сергеевич ПАЛЬЧИК | Position(s): Former head of correctional colony No 1 in Novopolotsk DOB: 3.3.1981 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian | In his former position as head of correctional colony No 1 in Novopolotsk, Andrei Palchik has been responsible for and participated in the systematic practice of torture, ill-treatment and abusive punishments, including prolonged and repeated use of solitary confinement, against the political prisoners and other citizens detained in that penal colony, notably in the wake of the 2020 presidential election and the ensuing peaceful protests. As head of that penal colony, Andrei Palchik is not only responsible for ordering and supervising these abuses, but has a documented track record of personal involvement in acts of torture and violence against prisoners. During Andrei Palchik’s administration from 2017 until March 2023, correctional colony No 1 in Novopolotsk has become ill-famed for its extremely harsh detention conditions and the ill-treatment applied to the prisoners, many of them leading political activists and civil society representatives, detained for their opposition to President Lukashenka’s regime. After his transfer from Penal Colony No 1, Palchik continues to hold an active high-ranking position at another detention facility and therefore he continues to serve the repressive system. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and for the repression of the civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 198. | Aliaksandr Uladzimiravich KAROL Aleksandr Vladimirovich KAROL | Аляксандр Уладзiмiравiч КАРОЛЬ Александр Владимирович КОРОЛЬ | Position(s): Senior Prosecutor of the Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office DOB: 28.6.1992 POB: Bobruisk, Mogilev region, Republic of Belarus Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Personal ID: 3280692M019PB8 | In his position as Senior Prosecutor at the Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Belarus, Aliaksandr Karol is responsible for numerous politically-motivated criminal cases against Belarusian human rights defenders. In particular, he is involved in the politically motivated prosecution of representatives from the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna, including Viasna chairperson Ales Bialiatski, deputy chairperson Valiantsin Stefanovic, lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich, coordinator of Viasna’s network of volunteers Marfa Rabkova, head of Viasna’s office in Gomel, Leanid Sudalenka, and volunteer Andrei Chapiuk, as well as volunteer Tatsiana Lasitsa who was released from Gomel penal colony on 24 September 2022. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 199. | Mikhail Mikhailavich MURASHKIN Mikhail Mikhailovich MURASHKIN | Мiхаiл Мiхайлавiч МУРАШКIН Михаил Михайлович МУРАШКИН | Position(s): Former Deputy Head of the Municipal Department of Internal Affairs in Zhodino – Head of the Public Security Police; First Deputy Head of the District Department of Internal Affairs in Borisov – Head of the Public Security Police as of 29.10.2021 DOB: 8.9.1989 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian | In his capacity as former head of the Public Security Police in Zhodino, Mikhail Murashkin ordered the police troops and riot police, OMON, to brutally crack down on peaceful protests in the wake of the presidential elections in 2020, beating protesters and using violence against them. He is also involved in the unlawful repeated detention of independent journalists covering the protests in the lead-up to the presidential elections. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. He continues to hold a similarly high-ranking position within the Department of Internal Affairs. | 3.8.2023 200. | Mikalai Vasilievich MAKSIMAVICH Nikolai Vasilievich MAKSIMOVICH | Мiкалай Васiльевiч МАКСIМАВIЧ Николай Васильевич МАКСИМОВИЧ | Position(s): Deputy Chief of the Public Security Militia, Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee DOB: 25.2.1977 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Address: Minsk, st. Yankee Brylya 21, apt. 224; Minsk, st. Kolesnikova 32, apt. 3 Personal ID: 3250277M077PB2 | In his capacity as Deputy Chief of the Public Security Militia, Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, Mikalai Maksimavich is responsible for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests in the run-up to the presidential elections in August 2020 and afterwards. He has personally given orders to the riot police, OMON, to violently suppress the demonstrations, detain the protesters and the independent journalists covering these events, and submit them to harsh conditions of detention. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 201. | Piotr Aleksandrovich ARLOU Petr Aleksandrovich ORLOV | Пётр Александровiч АРЛОЎ Петр Александрович ОРЛОВ | Position(s): Judge at the Minsk City Court DOB: 6.4.1967 POB: Minsk, Belarus Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Personal ID: 3040667A088PB0 Address: Minsk, st. Sharangovicha 78, apt. 60 | In the position of judge at the Minsk City Court, Piotr Arlou has represented the Lukashenka regime in numerous politically motivated trials and is responsible for the lengthy verdicts in absentia against several members of the democratic opposition; Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (15 years), Pavel Latushka (18 years), and Volha Kavalkova, Maryia Maroz and Siarhei Dyleuski (12 years each). Piotr Arlou is also responsible for the politically motivated conduct of trial and verdicts against blogger Eduard Palchys (13 years of imprisonment) and journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva (two years). These verdicts are part a systematic denial of, and punishment for, the exercise of freedom of expression by the Belarusian authorities. Piotr Arlou’s verdicts are examples of the systemic repression of dissent. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy and the rule of law in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 202. | Ruslan Khikmetavich MASHADZEOU Ruslan Khikmetovich MASHADIYEV | Руслан Хiкметовiч МАШАДЗЕЎ Руслан Хикметович МАШАДИЕВ | Position(s): Former Deputy Head of Penal Colony No°1; Current Head of Penal Colony No°1 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian | In his position of Head and the former Deputy Head of Penal Colony No°1, Ruslan Mashadzeou is responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture, inflicted on the political prisoners and other citizens detained in that penal colony in the wake of the 2020 presidential election and in the ensuing peaceful protests. He was the head of the penal colony at the time of the death of the political prisoner Vitold Ashurak in that penal colony on 21 May 2021, in unexplained circumstances. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 203. | Siarhei Uladzimiravich KARCHEUSKY Sergey Vladimirovitch KARCHEVSKIY | Сяргей Уладзiмiравiч КАРЧЭЎСКI Сергей Владимирович КАРЧЕВСКИЙ | Position(s): Major and head of the regime department of Penal Colony No 17 Shklow DOB: 15.6.1983 Address: 6 Fatina str, apt. 100, Mogilev, Belarus Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Personal: 3150683MO74PB5 | As head of the regime department of Penal Colony No 17 in Shklow, Siarhei Kharcheusky is directly responsible for the inhumane conditions of detention in the colony, for the violent practices and ill-treatment inflicted on prisoners, notably on political prisoners. He was personally involved in carrying out beatings and other acts of extreme violence against prisoners and he is directly involved in, and responsible for, the death of the political prisoner Vitold Ashurak in that penal colony on 21 May 2021. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 204. | Siarhei Vasilyevich MASLIUKOU Sergey Vasilyevich MASLIUKOV | Сяргей Васiльевiч МАСЛЮКОЎ Сергей Васильевич МАСЛЮКОВ | Position(s): Head colonel of the internal service of Educational Colony No.°2 in Bobruysk POB: Shklov, Belarus Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Suspected address: Bobruysk | In his position of Head colonel of the internal service of Educational Colony No.°2 in Bobruysk, Siarhei Masliukou is responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment of minors. He is responsible for subjecting children to hunger, torture, forced work, and various forms of physical and psychological violence. He is also responsible for depriving underage convicts of access to medical care. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 205. | Sviatlana Aliaksandrauna BANDARENKA Svetlana Aleksandrovna BONDARENKO | Святлана Аляксандраўна БАНДАРЭНКА Светлана Александровна БОНДАРЕНКО | Position(s): Judge at the court of the Moskovsky district of Minsk Gender: female Nationality: Belarusian | In her position as Judge of Moskovsky district of Minsk, Sviatlana Bandarenka is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings. She sentenced several Belarusian citizens for participating in protests and publishing anti-government comments on Telegram. She also sentenced the journalist Ekaterina Borisevich and the emergency hospital doctor Artyom Sorokin for disclosing medical secrets about Roman Bondarenko, who was beaten to death by the security forces. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 206. | Sviatlana Paulauna PAKHODAVA Svetlana Pavlovna POKHODOVA | Святлана Паўлаўна ПАХОДАВА Светлана Павловна ПОХОДОВА | Position(s): Head of Penal Colony No.°4 for women in Gomel Gender: female Nationality: Belarusian Suspected location: Gomel | In her position of Head of Penal Colony No.°4 for women in Gomel, Sviatlana Pakhodava is responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture, inflicted on the political prisoners and other citizens detained in that female penal colony. She was already the head of the penal colony at the time of the prosecution of Maria Kalesnikava, a political prisoner who was handed an 11-year custodial sentence for her participation in the protests against the authoritarian rule of Aliaksandr Lukashenko in the penal colony. She was deprived of all prisoner rights, including the right to consult a lawyer. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 207. | Tatsiana Valerieuna PIROZHNIKAVA Tatiana Valeryevna PIROZHNIKOVA | Таццяна Валер’еўна ПIРОЖНIКАВА Татьяна Валерьевна ПИРОЖНИКОВА | Position(s): Judge at the court of the Moscovsky district of Minsk DOB: 8.1.1987 Gender: female Nationality: Belarusian Personal ID: 4010887M019PB2 | In her position as Judge of Moskovsky district of Minsk, Tatsiana Pirozhnikava sentenced several Belarusian citizens on political grounds, including for their participation in protests and for publishing anti-government comments on Telegram. She is documented as occasionally issuing heavier sentences than those requested by the prosecutor. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition In Belarus. | 3.8.2023 208. | Tatsiana Aliaksandrauna GRAKUN Tatyana Alexandrovna GRAKUN | Таццяна Аляксандраўна ГРАКУН Татьяна Александровна ГРАКУН | Position(s): Senior Prosecutor of the Minsk Region Prosecutor’s Office for Supervision of Compliance with the Law of Court Decisions in Criminal Cases, Junior Counselor of Justice Gender: female Nationality: Belarusian | Tatsiana Grakun is a Belarusian prosecutor who serves in the Minsk Region Prosecutor’s Office. In this position, she has represented the Lukashenka regime in politically-motivated cases against journalists. In particular, she has prosecuted Maryna Zolatava, TUT.BY editor-in-chief, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Liudmila Chekina, TUT.BY general director, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in March 2023, based on groundless charges of “harming to the national security of the Republic of Belarus”. Tatsiana Grakun is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 209. | Valyantsina Mikalaeuna ZIANKEVICH Valentina Nikolaevna ZENKEVICH | Валянцiна Мiкалаеўна ЗЯНКЕВIЧ Валентина Николаевна ЗЕНЬКЕВИЧ | Position(s): Judicial Collegium for Criminal Cases of the Minsk City Court, Judge DOB: 8.1.1969 Gender: female Nationality: Belarusian | Valyantsina Ziankevich is a Belarusian judge who serves in a Judicial Collegium for Criminal Cases of the Minsk City Court. She has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. She has convicted at least seven Belarusian citizens on political grounds, including Maryna Zolatava, TUT.BY editor-in-chief, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and Liudmila Chekina, TUT.BY general director, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in March 2023. She has a documented history of issuing politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities since 2022. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 210. | Yauhen Valerievich BUBICH Yevgeniy Valerievich BUBICH | Яўген Валер’евiч БУБIЧ Евгений Валерьевич БУБИЧ | Position(s): Head of Penal Colony No.°2; Lieutenant colonel of the internal service DOB: 3.6.1979 Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian Address: Bobruysk, st. Kovzana 60, apartment 42; Bobruysk, st. Kovzana 5/485; Bobruysk, st. Internationalnaya 66B, apartment 31 | In his position as head of Penal Colony No.°2 in Bobruysk, Yauhen Bubich is responsible for the inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture, forced work, physical and psychological violence, inflicted on prisoners. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 211. | Yuri Ivanavich VASILEVICH Yuriy Ivanovich VASILEVICH | Юры Iванавiч ВАСIЛЕВIЧ Юрий Иванович ВАСИЛЕВИЧ | Position(s): Head of Penal Colony No.°14 in Novosady Gender: male Nationality: Belarusian | In his position of Head of Penal Colony No.°14, Yuri Vasilevich is responsible for the mistreatment of the convicts detained under his jurisdiction, and for inhuman and degrading treatment, including torture, inflicted on the political prisoners and other citizens detained in that penal colony. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and for the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 212. | Raman Ivanavich BIZIUK Roman Ivanovich BIZYUK | Раман Iванавiч БIЗЮК Роман Иванович БИЗЮК | Position(s): Prosecutor DOB: 25.3.1986 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male Personal ID: 3250386H012PB7 Address: Minsk, 30 Masherova Ave., apt. 25 | In the position of prosecutor at the Minsk Municipal Court, Raman Biziuk has represented the Lukashenka regime in numerous politically-motivated cases, in particular against Marfa Rabkova and Andrei Chapiuk, who receiving exceptionally lengthy verdicts of 15 and six years in prison, respectively, and their eight co-defendants who received prison verdicts of between five and 17 years. Marfa Rabkova was imprisoned on politically-motivated charges of ‘training people to participate in mass riots or financing such activities’ for coordinating the volunteer service at the internationally recognized human rights group Viasna and organising the monitoring of the election in August 2020. She also documented cases of torture and other ill-treatment against detained protesters. Marfa Rabkova was one of the first members of Viasna to be targeted by the authorities with politically-motivated criminal charges after the protests in August 2020. Andrei Chapiuk was charged for participation in a criminal organisation and the incitement of hatred, among other things, for his engagement in Viasna as a volunteer. Their trial was held behind closed doors by request of prosecutor Raman Biziuk and approval by judge Siarhei Khrypach due to the alleged existence of ‘materials of extremist nature’ in the case. Raman Biziuk is also responsible for the politically-motivated prosecution against the co-defendants in the same trial, namely Akihiro Haeuski-Hanada, Alyaksandr Frantaskevich, Alykaksei Galauko, Alyaksandr Kazlyanka, Pavel Shpteny, Mikita Dranets, Andrei Marach and Daniil Chul. He is also responsible for the politically-motivated charges against Andrei Linnik and Anton Bialenski as well as against Dzmitry Kanapelka, Vitalii Kavalenka, Tsimur Pipiya, Dzianis Boltuts, Vital Shyshlou and Emil Huseinau. Raman Biziuk is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy or the rule of law in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 213. | Siarhei Fiodaravich KHRYPACH Sergey Fedorovich KHRIPACH | Сяргей Фёдаравiч ХРЫПАЧ Сергей Федорович ХРИПАЧ | Position(s): Judge at the Minsk Municipal Court DOB: 16.4.1966 POB: Minsk, Belarus Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male Personal ID: 3160466A077PB2 Address: Minsk, st. Odintsova 105, apt. 206 | In the position of judge at the Minsk Municipal Court, Siarhei Khrypach has represented the Lukashenka regime in numerous politically-motivated cases, in particular against Marfa Rabkova, Andrei Chapiuk who received exceptionally lengthy sentences of 15 and six years in prison, respectively, and their eight co-defendants who received custodial sentences of between five to 17 years. Marfa Rabkova was imprisoned on politically-motivated charges of “training people to participate in mass riots or financing such activities”, for coordinating the volunteer service at the internationally recognized human rights group Viasna and for organising the monitoring of the election in August 2020. She also documented cases of torture and other ill-treatment against detained protesters. Marfa Rabkova was one of the first members of Viasna to be targeted by the authorities with politically-motivated criminal charges after the protests in August 2020. Andrei Chapiuk was charged for participation in a criminal organisation and the incitement of hatred among other things, for his engagement in Viasna as a volunteer. Their trial was held behind closed doors by request of prosecutor Raman Biziuk and by approval of judge Siarhei Khrypach due to the alleged existence of “materials of extremist nature” in the case. Siarhei Khrypach is also responsible for the politically-motivated conduct of the trial and verdicts for the co-defendants in the same trial, namely Akihiro Haeuski-Hanada, Alyaksandr Frantaskevich, Alykaksei Galauko, Alyaksandr Kazlyanka, Pavel Shpteny, Mikita Dranets, Andrei Marach and Daniil Chul. Siarhei Khrypach is also responsible for the politically-motivated verdict against Yegor Dudnikov in May 2021. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and activities that seriously undermine democracy or the rule of law in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 214. | Vadzim Frantzavich GIGIN Vadim Franzevich GIGIN Vadzim HIHIN | Вадзiм Францавiч ГIГIН Вадим Францевич ГИГИН | Position(s): Director of the National Library of Belarus; former Head of the Belarus governmental society “Knowledge”, and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Belarus State University, candidate of Historical Science DOB: 21.10.1977 POB: Minsk, former Belarussian SSR (now Belarus) Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Vadzim Gigin is one of the most vocal and influential members of the Belarusian state propaganda system. He systematically supports the Lukashenka regime and often presents his views on the state TV channels ONT and Belarus 1. Vadzim Gigin has supported and justified the repression of democratic opposition and civil society and of independent media, in particular after the presidential elections in August 2020. Vadzim Gigin spreads his propaganda narratives on a “nazi regime in Ukraine”, discrediting the West and justification of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Until June 2023, Vadzim Gigin was the head of the Belarusian society “Knowledge”, which is known as a state-sponsored non-governmental organisation promoting Lukashenka and his regime. Gigin’s contribution to the regime has been acknowledged by Lukashenka in September 2021 when Gigin received the medal “For Labor Merits”. Furthermore, he was appointed in February 2023 as member of the Commission to consider appeals of Belarusian citizens abroad concerning offences committed by them, headed by Prosecutor General of Belarus Andrei Shved. Therefore, Vadzim Gigin is benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. | 3.8.2023 215. | Ksenia Piatrouna LEBEDZEVA Ksenia Petrovna LEBEDEVA | Ксенiя Пятроўна ЛЕБЕДЗЕВА Ксения Петровна ЛЕБЕДЕВА | Position(s): Propagandist and employee of the state channel “Belarus 1” and in Belarus News Agency DOB: 12.12.1987 POB: Mogilev, former Belarussian SSR (now Belarus) Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female | Ksenia Lebedzeva is one of the leading propagandists of the Lukashenka regime and is closely associated with regime media. She is Belarusian TV presenter at the state-owned “Belarus 1” channel. Since July 2021, she has hosted the information and analytical programme “This is different” at the state-owned “Belarus 1” TV channel. In her column and reports for Belarus 1 TV channel, she promotes Russian propaganda regarding Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and Belarus state propaganda directed against opposition and neighbouring countries. Ksenia Lebedzeva is promoting the idea that Ukraine, together with NATO, has been launching information and psychological special operations against Belarus since 2020 and the Lukashenka narrative that opposition representatives are financed by Western countries. On 16.1. 2021, Ksenia Lebedzeva was awarded with gratitude by President Lukashenka for “a significant contribution to the implementation of state information policy, high professionalism, objective and comprehensive coverage of the events of the socio-political and socio-cultural life of the country”. Therefore, Ksenia Lebedeva is benefiting from and supporting and the Lukashenka regime. | 3.8.2023 216. | Zinaida Vasilieuna BALABALAVA Zinaida Vasilievna BALABALAVA | Зiнаiда Васiльеўна БАЛАБАЛАВА Зинаида Васильевна БАЛАБОЛАВА | Position(s): Judge at Navapolatsk City Court Gender: female | In her position as judge of the Navapolatsk City Court, Zinaida Balabalava is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings against peaceful protesters, in particular the sentencing of union leader Volha Bytsikava and of activists Hanna Tukava and Andrei Halavyryn. She has subjected people to fines and arrests for publishing “no war” signs or independent trial reporting. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 217. | Halina KNIZHONAK Galina KNIZHONAK | Галiна КНIЖОНАК Галина КНИЖОНАК | Position(s): Judge of Mazyr District Court Gender: female | In her position as judge of Mazyr district court, Halina Knizhonak is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings against peaceful protesters, in particular the sentencing of Hleb Koipish, Uladzislau Hancharou, Aliaksandr Tsimashenka and Daniil Skipalski. She has sentenced people to terms of imprisonment for taking part in peaceful protests against the Lukashenka regime. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 218. | Hanna Barisauna LIAVUSIK Anna Borisovna LEUSIK | Ганна Барысаўна ЛЯВУСIК Анна Борисовна ЛЕУСИК | Position(s): Judge of Leninsky district court of Hrodna/Grodno DOB: 7.10.1973 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female Address: Grodno, st. Soviet Border Guards 120, apt. 47 Personal ID: 4071073K000PB2 | In her position as judge of the Leninski district court of Hrodna, Hanna Liavusik is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings against peaceful protesters, in particular the sentencing of Alexander Tyelega. She has sentenced people to fines and prison terms for speaking up against violence and repression. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 219. | Henadz Ivanavich KUDLASEVICH Gennadiy Ivanovich KUDLASEVICH | Генадзь Iванавiч КУДЛАСЕВIЧ Геннадий Иванович КУДЛАСЕВИЧ | Position(s): Judge of Ivanovsky District Court DOB: 5.5.1973 POB: Tereblychi, Stolin District, former Belarussian SSR (now Belarus) Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | In his position as judge of Ivanovsky District Court, Henadz Kudlasevich is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings against peaceful protesters, in particular the sentencing of Yuryi Holik. He has sentenced people to terms of imprisonment, house detention and fines for protesting against the government or for independent reporting. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 220. | Ina Leanidauna PAULOUSKAYA Inna Leonidovna PAVLOVSKAYA | Iна Леанiдаўна ПАЎЛОЎСКАЯ Инна Леонидовна ПАВЛОВСКАЯ | Position(s): Judge at Baranovichi District Court DOB: 29.7.1975 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female Address: Baranovichi, st. Mikolskaya 32 Personal ID: 4290775C016PB9 | In her position as judge of Baranovichi District Court, Ina Paulouskaya is responsible for numerous politically-motivated rulings against peaceful protesters, in particular the sentencing of Vitaly Korsak and Anatoly Pugach. She has sentenced people to prison terms and fines for criticizing President Lukashenka and protesting against the outcome of the presidential elections of 2020. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 221. | Aliaksandr Mikalaevich TARAKANAU Alexander Nikolaevich TARAKANOV | Аляксандр Мiкалаевiч ТАРАКАНАЎ Александр Николаевич ТАРАКАНОВ | Position(s): Shklov District Court, Mogilev Region, Judge DOB: 19.5.1965 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Aliaksandr Tarakanau is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Shklov District Court in Mogilev Region. He was appointed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka indefinitely in 2017. He mainly handed down sentences that increased the penalties against political opponents of the Belarusian authorities, especially in the context of changing sentences imposed to absolute imprisonment or a stricter regime for the serving of such sentences. Such a decision was made in the case of the philosopher and journalist Uladzimir Matskievich who is associated with the independent television channel Belsat.Aliaksandr Tarakanau is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 222. | Dzmitriy Vitalievich BUBENCHIK Dmitriy Vitalievich BUBENCHIK | Дзмiтрый Вiтальевiч БУБЕНЧЫК Дмитрий Витальевич БУБЕНЧИК | Position(s): Grodno Regional Court, Judge DOB: 15.7.1985 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Dzmitriy Bubenchik is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Grodno District Court. He was appointed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka. He issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. On 8 February 2023, he sentenced Andrzej Poczobut, an independent journalist and a Polish minority activist critical of the government of the Republic of Belarus, to eight years imprisonment. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 223. | Aleg Uladzimiravich KHOROSHKA Oleg Vladimirovich KHOROSHKO | Алег Уладзiмiравiч ХОРОШКА Олег Владимирович ХОРОШКО | Position(s): Gomel Regional Court, Judge DOB: 22.5.1977 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Aleg Khoroshka is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Gomel District Court. He was appointed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka. He issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities, which include a journalist of the independent TV station Belsat, Katsiaryna Andreyeva who received a sentence of eight years and three months in a penal colony. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 224. | Anastasia Uladzimirouna BENEDZISIUK Anastasia Vladimirovna BENEDISYUK | Анастасiя Уладзiмipаўна БЕНЕДЗIСЮК Анастасия Владимировна БЕНЕДИСЮК | Position(s): Head of the Reporters Department of the TV News Agency in National State TV channel Belarus 1 TV DOB: 31.10.1992 POB: Oshmyan, Belarus Nationality: Belarussian Gender: female | Anastasia Benedzisiuk is one of the leading propagandists of the Lukashenka regime and the Head of the Reporters Department at the TV News Agency, preparing reportages for the Belarus 1 TV channel. She hosts the information program “Plan B” at the state-owned “Belarus 1” TV channel. In her programme and reports for the Belarus 1 TV channel, she spreads Russian propaganda narratives about a “nazi regime in Ukraine”, the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as President Lukashenka’s propaganda against the Belarusian opposition and Kalinousky regiment. She also spreads propaganda against Western sanctions. In 2023, Anastasia Benedzisiuk was given an official award with gratitude from Lukashenka for her “significant contribution to the implementation of state information policy, high professionalism, objective and comprehensive coverage of the events of the socio-political and socio-cultural life of the country”. She is therefore benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. | 3.8.2023 225. | Yauhen PUSTAVY Yevgeniy PUSTOVOY | Яўген ПУСТАВЫ Евгений ПУСТОВОЙ | Function: Belarusian propagandist and broadcaster DOB: 29.2.1984 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Yauhen Pustavy is a Belarussian propagandist working for Stolichnoye Televideniye, one of the three national television channels in Belarus, and for Minskaya Prauda, a state newspaper. He is responsible for disseminating propaganda in support of Lukashenka’s policies and which justifies Russia’ war of aggression against Ukraine. He was awarded by Lukashenka for his merits in the development of the State information policy. Moreover, he is member of the State Commission aimed at verifying political refugees who wish to return to Belarus. This commission was created by Lukashenka with the political aim of portraying the refugees returning to Belarus as persons regretting their actions against the Lukashenka regime. He is therefore benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. | 3.8.2023 226. | Alena Stanislavauna HARMASH Alena Stanislavovna GORMASH | Алена Станiславаўна ГОРМАШ Елена Станиславовна ГОРМАШ | Function: Court of Bobruisk District and Bobruisk, Judge DOB: 10.9.1967 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female | Alena Harmash is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Court of the Bobruisk District and Bobruisk. She has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. She convicted six opposition supporters and activists on political grounds. She has a documented history of having issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities since 2020. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 227. | Andrei Ramanavich TARASEVICH Andrei Romanovich TARASEVICH | Андрэй Раманавiч ТАРАСЕВIЧ Андрей Романович ТАРАСЕВИЧ | Function: Glubokoye District Court, Judge DOB: 10.11.1974 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Andrei Tarasevich is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Glubokoye District Court. He has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. He convicted at least 13 Belarusian citizens on political grounds. He has a documented history of having issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities from 2017 to 2023. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 228. | Hanna Mikhailauna ASIPENKA Anna Mikhailovna OSIPENKO | Ганна Мiхайлаўна АСIПЕНКА Анна Михайловна ОСИПЕНКО | Function: Judge of Court of Bobruisk District and Bobruisk DOB: 7.12.1982 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female | Hanna Asipenka is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Court of Bobruisk District and Bobruisk. She has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. Between 2020 and 2023, she took an active part in the sentencing of political opponents of the regime. During that period, she handed down at least 13 sentences, including in the cases of two independent media journalists. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 229. | Iryna Uladzimirauna PADKAVYRAVA Irina Vladimirovna PODKOVYROVA | Iрына Уладзiмiраўна ПАДКАВЫРАВА Ирина Владимировна ПОДКОВЫРОВА | Function: Prosecutor DOB: 22.9.1972 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female | Iryna Padkavyrava is a Belarussian prosecutor. She has been associated with the prosecuting authorities since at least 2009, when she served as a senior prosecutor in the Gomel region. In 2022, she acted as a prosecutor in the trial of an independent journalist affiliated with TVP and Belsat TV. At the time, she requested a four-year prison sentence for the journalist. She also took part in the consideration of appeals against sentences handed down for posting entries on Belarusian social media which were unfavourable to the government and its officials. As a prosecutor, she supported the penalties, considering them adequate and fair. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 230. | Ludmila Stsiapanauna VASHCHANKA Ludmila Stiepanovna VASHCHENKO | Людмiла Сцяпанаўна ВАШЧАНКА Людмила Степановна ВАЩЕНКО | Function: Judge of Glubokoye District Court DOB: 22.9.1972 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: female | Ludmila Vashchanka is a Belarussian judge who serves in Glubokoye District Court. She has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. She has a documented history of having issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities from 2007 to 2023. During this period, she convicted at least nine Belarusian citizens, including opposition supporters and activists, on political grounds. She is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 231. | Uladzimir Aliaksandravich DAVYDAU Vladimir Alexandrovich DAVYDOV | Уладзiмiр Аляксандравiч ДАВЫДАЎ Владимир Александрович ДАВЫДОВ | Function: Judge of Supreme Court of Belarus DOB: 11.4.1967 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Uladzimir Davydau is a Belarussian judge who serves in the Supreme Court of Belarus. He was appointed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka indefinitely in 2014. Judge Davydau has mainly ruled on appeals regarding prison sentences for political activists and journalists. He has left those sentenced unchanged. Such a decision was made in the case of the Belsat journalist, Pavel Vinahradau. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 232. | Viachaslau Uladzimiravich YELISEENKA Vyacheslav Vladimirovich ELISEENKO | Вячаслаў Уладзiмiравiч ЕЛIСЕЕНКА Вячеслав Владимирович ЕЛИСЕЕНКО | Function: Judge of Dokshitsy District Court DOB: 10.4.1979 Nationality: Belarusian Gender: male | Viachaslau Yeliseenka is a Belarussian judge who serves in a Dokshitsy District Court. He has issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities. He has convicted 10 Belarusian citizens on political grounds. He has a documented history of having issued politically-motivated rulings against the opponents of the Belarusian authorities since 2018. He is therefore responsible for serious violations of human rights and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 233. | Anton Uladzimiravich KALYAGA Anton Vladimirovich KOLYAGO | Антон Уладзiмiравiч КАЛЯГА Антон Владимирович КОЛЯГО | Function: Chief investigator – investigator for particularly important cases of the Main Directorate for the Investigation of Crimes in the Sphere of Organized Crime and Corruption of the Central Apparatus of the Investigative Committee, Major of Justice DOB: 2.10.1989 POB: Minsk, Republic of Belarus Nationality: Belarus Gender: male | Anton Kalyaga is an investigator of the Main Directorate for Investigating Crimes in the Sphere of Organized Crime and Corruption of the Central Office of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus. He conducts the criminal case against Viasna members. The judicial proceedings against Ales Bialiatski, Valianstin Stefanovich and Uladzimir Labkovich include numerous irregularities and the investigation period has been artificially extended by the authorities in an attempt to fabricate evidence, exceeding the time limit established by Belarusian law and international standards governing the right to a fair trial. The investigation and trial of the Viasna case did not comply with the rule of law. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. | 3.8.2023’ (2) | the following entries are added to table ‘B. Legal persons, entities or bodies referred to in Article 4(1)’: | | Names (Transliteration of Belarusian spelling) (Transliteration of Russian spelling) | Names (Belarusian spelling) (Russian spelling) | Identifying Information | Reasons for listing | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|---|--- ‘36. | Open Joint Stock Company “MINSK ELECTROTECHNICAL PLANT NAMED AFTER V. I. KOZLOV” | Адкрытае акцыянернае таварыства “МIНСКI ЭЛЕКТРАТЭХНIЧНЫ ЗАВОД IМЯ В.I.КАЗЛОВА” Открытое акционерное общество “МИНСКИЙ ЭЛЕКТРОТЕХНИЧЕСКИЙ ЗАВОД ИМЕНИ В.И.КОЗЛОВА”/ОАО “МЭТЗ ИМ. В.И.КОЗЛОВА” | Address: Room 502, 4, Uralskaya st., Minsk 220037, Republic of Belarus Type of entity: State-owned company Place of registration: 4, Uralskaya st., Minsk 220037, Republic of Belarus Date of registration: 1.3.1994 Registration number: 100211261(УНП) Principal place of business: Belarus Company website: www.metz.by Company email: urist@metz.by Company phone: 8017 230 11 22 | OJSC “Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after V.I. Kozlov” is a state-owned enterprise, one of the biggest producers of electricity equipment in Europe and one of industrial giants of Belarus. As such, it is a major source of revenue for the Lukashenka regime. The employees of OJSC “Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after V.I. Kozlov” who took part in peaceful protests and strikes in the aftermath of the fraudulent August 2020 elections in Belarus were threatened with layoffs and intimidated by company management. Workers were later fired due to their participation in the strikes. Therefore OJSC “Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after V.I. Kozlov” is benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. Furthermore, OJSC “Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after V.I. Kozlov” is responsible for the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 37. | Open joint stock company “Byelorussian Steel Works – management company of ‘Byelorusssian Metallurgical Company’ holding” a.k.a. OJSC “BSW (BMZ) – management company of ‘BMC’ holding” | Адкрытае акцыянернае таварыства “Беларускi металургiчны завод – кiруючая кампанiя холдынгу ‘Беларуская металургiчная кампанiя’” a.k.a. ААТ “БМЗ – кiруючая кампанiя холдынгу “БМК’” Открытое акционерное общество “Белорусский металлургический завод- управляющая компания холдинга ‘Белорусская металлургическая компания’” a.k.a. ОАО “БМЗ- управляющая компания холдинга ‘БМК’” | Address: 37, Promyshlennaya Street, Zhlobin,Gomel region, Belarus, 247210 Type of entity: Open joint stock company Place of registration: Zhlobin, Gomel region, Belarus Date of registration: 24.4.1991 as “БЕЛОРУССКИЙ МЕТАЛЛУРГИЧЕСКИЙ ЗАВОД”, 11.9.1996 as “Государственное предприятие – Белорусский металлургический завод”, 1.12.1997 as “Белорусский металлургический завод”, 3.11.1999 as “Республиканское унитарное предприятие ‘Белорусский металлургический завод’”, 1.1.2012 as “Открытое акционерное общество ‘Белорусский металлургический завод’” Registration number: 400074854 Principal place of business: Zhlobin, Gomel region, Belarus | OJSC BSW – management company of “BMC” holding is a unique state enterprise in the metallurgical industry in Belarus and among the largest companies in the country. As such, it is a substantial source of revenue for the Lukashenka regime. The Belarusian State is directly profiting from the earnings made by OJSC BSW – management company of ‘BMC’ holding. Furthermore, the company receives large government grants and political support from the Lukashenka regime. The general director of OJSC BSW – management company of “BMC” holding was personally appointed by President Lukashenka. Employees of OJSC BSW – management company of “BMC” holding who protested and went on strike in the wake of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus were dismissed. Since then, the enterprise continues to take measures against employees who attempt to organize strikes through threats and dismissals. Therefore, OJSC BSW – management company of “BMC” holding is benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. Furthermore, it is responsible for the repression of civil society in Belarus. | 3.8.2023 38. | Belneftekhim – Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry | Белнафтахiм – Беларускi дзяржаўны канцэрн па нафце i хiмii Белнефтехим, Белорусский государственный концерн по нефти и химии | Address: 73, Dzerzhinskogo Street, Minsk, 220116 Type of entity: State concern Place of registration: 73 Dzerzhinskogo Street, Minsk, 220116 Date of registration: 21.7.1997 Registration number: 101272253 Principal place of business: Minsk, Belarus | The Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim) is one of the largest industrial complexes of the Republic of Belarus and consists of multiple other state-owned companies established in 1997. Aliaksandr Lukashenka considers Belneftekhim to be one of the most important and strategic concerns in Belarus. In particular, Belneftekhim represents a fundamental asset for the Belarusian economy and foreign policy, in particular in relation to the cooperation between Russia and Belarus in developing a common oil market. Regular consultations are held between the concern and President Lukashenka. Belneftekhim benefits from the support provided by the Lukashenka regime, especially in relation to the effects of Western sanctions. Therefore, Belneftekhim is benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime. | 3.8.2023’ * * *