Stasys Kaušinis: Belarusian officials are legalizing dubious incomes

The Lithuanian human rights activist commented for charter97.org on the information about the Lukashenka’s entourage purchasing real estate in Vilnius.

The head of the Foundation for citizen’s protection and a member of the Lithuanian Helsinki group Stasys Kaušinis said that one of the reasons for that were the difficulties with legalization of revenues in Belarus especially in case of its dubious origin.

“In the conditions of Belarus one must not show one’s dividends. There is a grey market economy in place in the country, officials and businessmen don’t declare the whole amount of the revenues they receive. Investing in real estate abroad is a convenient way of legalizing the revenues”, - the human rights defender said.

As another reason Stasys Kaušinis mentioned the officials and oligarchs’ apprehension for their capital, including the ones received illegally or via the use of their office positions.

“In Belarusian prisons there are very many people accused of economic crimes. Any of the businessmen or officials, even the top ones, may end up in jail tomorrow. That is why it is important for them to invest their capital abroad”, - Stasys Kaušinis said.

We would remind that the Lithuanian TV3 television channel reported that the circles close to Lukashenka are buying out expensive real estate in Vilnius. Among the buyers the premier-minister Mikhail Miasnikovich, former head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Siarhei Martynau, the oligarchs financing the Belarusian regime Aliaksandr Shakutsin and Youry Chyzh were named.