Belarus Prosecutor General sees threat to national security behind Belgazprombank case
<p> MINSK, 19 June - PrimePress. Belarus Prosecutor General Alexander Konyuk told reporters on Friday that a criminal case against Belgazprombank, the local unit of Russia’s Gazprombank, had created a threat to national security. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Given the fact that criminal acts were committed systematically, for a long time, using transnational illegal schemes, they have created a real threat to the national security interests of our country, both financially and otherwise. Therefore, further investigation into this criminal case is entrusted to the investigative units of Belarus’ KGB,” BelTA reports citing Konyuk as saying. </p> <p> </p> <p> After analyzing the evidence available, the Prosecutor General’s Office has concluded that the actions of the persons under investigation should be qualified as activities of a criminal organization. Operational support of the criminal case investigation will be provided by the Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee, said Konyuk. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, Babariko and his son Eduard, who heads his father’s election campaign headquarters, were detained and taken to the SCC Financial Investigations Department in the morning of June 18 for questioning. Their homes were searched. Babariko previously emphasized that according to the law there can be no claims against the bank and its related companies, and the actions of the authorities are a political frame-up. </p> <p> </p> <p> Chairman of the State Control Committee (SCC) of Belarus Ivan Tertel told reporters on June 18 that Babariko was detained as a suspect in a criminal case. According to Tertel, The SCC Financial Investigations Department (FID) has initiated a number of criminal cases under Article 243 (large-scale tax evasion), Article 235 (legalization of criminal funds), Article 210 (large-scale theft), Article 209 (fraud), as well as under Article 430 (bribery) and Article 431 (bribe giving). They have detained about 20 people who directly participated in illegal activities, including Babariko. “Babariko was detained in connection with the fact that he was the direct organizer and leader of the illegal activity, tried to influence the testimony of witnesses, made attempts to hide the traces of the crimes committed and just recently withdrew a large amount of money from the accounts under his control”, said Tertel. </p> <p> </p> <p> Belgazprombank was established in 1990 and is the authorized bank of the Gazprom Group in Belarus. Russia’s Gazprom and Gazprombank each hold a 49.66% stake in Belgazprombank, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus holds a 0.49% share, and 0.18% is held by Belarus’ Ministry of Energy. Belgazprombank belongs to Tier I Group. End </p>
2020-06-20
Primepress
Belarus Prosecutor General sees threat to national security behind Belgazprombank case
MINSK, 19 June - PrimePress. Belarus Prosecutor General Alexander Konyuk told reporters on Friday that a criminal case against Belgazprombank, the local unit of Russia’s Gazprombank, had created a threat to national security.
“Given the fact that criminal acts were committed systematically, for a long time, using transnational illegal schemes, they have created a real threat to the national security interests of our country, both financially and otherwise. Therefore, further investigation into this criminal case is entrusted to the investigative units of Belarus’ KGB,” BelTA reports citing Konyuk as saying.
After analyzing the evidence available, the Prosecutor General’s Office has concluded that the actions of the persons under investigation should be qualified as activities of a criminal organization. Operational support of the criminal case investigation will be provided by the Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee, said Konyuk.
As previously reported, Babariko and his son Eduard, who heads his father’s election campaign headquarters, were detained and taken to the SCC Financial Investigations Department in the morning of June 18 for questioning. Their homes were searched. Babariko previously emphasized that according to the law there can be no claims against the bank and its related companies, and the actions of the authorities are a political frame-up.
Chairman of the State Control Committee (SCC) of Belarus Ivan Tertel told reporters on June 18 that Babariko was detained as a suspect in a criminal case. According to Tertel, The SCC Financial Investigations Department (FID) has initiated a number of criminal cases under Article 243 (large-scale tax evasion), Article 235 (legalization of criminal funds), Article 210 (large-scale theft), Article 209 (fraud), as well as under Article 430 (bribery) and Article 431 (bribe giving). They have detained about 20 people who directly participated in illegal activities, including Babariko. “Babariko was detained in connection with the fact that he was the direct organizer and leader of the illegal activity, tried to influence the testimony of witnesses, made attempts to hide the traces of the crimes committed and just recently withdrew a large amount of money from the accounts under his control”, said Tertel.
Belgazprombank was established in 1990 and is the authorized bank of the Gazprom Group in Belarus. Russia’s Gazprom and Gazprombank each hold a 49.66% stake in Belgazprombank, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus holds a 0.49% share, and 0.18% is held by Belarus’ Ministry of Energy. Belgazprombank belongs to Tier I Group. End