Lukashenka's retinue buys property in Lithuania

Myasnikovich, Martynau, Shakitin and Chyzh are among buyers of expensive real estate in Vilnius.

They buy flats and houses, talk to politicians and local businessmen and form a vision of the Lukashenka regime they need, TV3 said in  the programme “Comments of the Week”, ru.delfi.lt reports.

Belarusian oligarchs spend their weekends in luxury apartments in the heart of Vilnius Old Town. Alyaksandr Lukashenka's closest associates are reported to have bought apartments here.

One of them is the third richest tycoon Alyaksandr Shakutin, whose assets are estimated at $150m. Shakutin heads Amkodor engineering and construction company and belongs to Belaya Rus association that unites pro-Lukashenka businessmen.

Yury Chyzh, who deals with oil products trade, pharmacy, tourism, agriculture and construction materials production, is also said to have bought property in Vilnius. Chyzh, who is on the EU blacklist, renders financial assistance to Lukashenka regime.

Former Belarusian foreign minister Syarhei Martynau, prime minister Mikhail Myasnikovich and Belarusian ambassador to Lithuania are said to own property in Vilnius.

According to information from sources, Belarusian oligarchs do not lose their time in Vilnius. They establish contacts with Lithuanian millionaires Augustinas and Arturas Rakauskas and Tautvydas Barštys. Lithuanian businessmen decline to give comments on the issue.

“No comments. I repeat it again. Sorry, I am on holiday. I will nor deny neither confirm it,” Arturas Rakauskas said.

Arvydas Anušauskas, the chair of the National Security and Defence Committee, states that Lukashenka's associates probably prepare for a retreat by buying property in Lithuania.

“Such processes occur in authoritarian countries when the closest henchmen are preparing escape routes. Vilnius is situated very close to Minsk,” Anušauskas said.