WorldECR | On anniversary of election flaws, OFAC steps up efforts

On August 9, on the anniversary of what the U.S. government called the fraudulent August 2020 Belarusian presidential election, in which Lukashenko “unleashed a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, democratic organizations, and journalists to illegally retain power,” the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it was taking action against “19 individuals, 14 entities, and one aircraft” under Executive Order 14038 related to Belarus.

“This action targets individuals who support Russia’s war in Ukraine by producing military resources and transshipping goods to Russia, evading sanctions on behalf of Belarusian defense entities, and generating revenue for Belarusian oligarchs in Alexander Lukashenko’s inner circle,” the statement said. “OFAC is also designating five of these targets – three individuals and two entities – under EO 14024 related to Russia.”

It also noted that the measures were “made more severe by actions taken earlier this week by the United States’ partners in the European Union (which targeted Belarusian authorities implicated in human rights violations), Canada, and the United Kingdom.”

The designated personnel include:

“Laboratory for Additive Technologies LLC (LAT), more recently also known as Laser Equipment and Technologies LLC, is a Belarus-based entity focused on natural science research and development (also generating revenue by supplying components to companies, including Peleng), that produce weapons for the Russian Federation and are subject to sanctions by the United States and the European Union.”

‘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) (among others) are two Belarusian private cargo airlines with long-standing operations in international transportation of a variety of products, including general cargo, engineering equipment, live animals and dangerous goods.

In addition, two Belarusian logistics entities, Ruzekspeditsiya LLC (Ruzekspeditsiya) and VLATE Logistic LLC (VLATE), are involved in managing cross-border logistics and transportation services through Belarus to Russia, including re-export of machinery, hydrocarbons, and Western European goods to Russia. These companies form the core of a logistics network controlled by the U.S.-designated Lukashenko “wallets”—Belarusian oligarchs who receive preferential treatment from the Belarusian government in exchange for providing funding to Lukashenko and other members of his inner circle; financing Lukashenko’s personal projects; and openly supporting the regime.

For full details of the designation, see: