Lukashenka dismisses Kharkavets

Andrei Kharkavets has been relieved of his post as minister of finances of Belarus.

The decision was taken due to Kharkavets's retirement. The decree was signed by Lukashenka on July 21.

Kharkavets was appointed minister of finances on August 14, 2008. He had worked at deputy finance minister (2006-2008) and head of the Main State Treasury of Belarus (1995-2006).

In June 2014, Kharkavets was excluded from the expert council on state programmes. Earlier, Andrei Kharkavets was not included in the interdepartamental working group on preparing the 2015 budget and the renewed composition of the Security Council.

Kharkavets has been keeping a low profile for the last six months. He is rumoured to be abroad on treatment.