Garry Luchansky in Hiding in Belarus? :: Charter'97 :: News

Within the framework of the “Cobweb” operation the European special services detained over 50 leaders of the criminal gangs, linked with the Russian mafia. However, the former Soviet national Garry Luchansky managed to avoid arrest. The man is notorious for his role in the smuggling of former Soviet arms. Pundits confirm that in 90ies Luchansky actively cooperated with the official Belarus and is implicated in the scandalous sale of the air-defense complex S-300.

The European media report that the operation, targeting Russian mafia, has been carried out by the European special services, Interpol and US security services. The operation turned out a success – they reportedly captured 50 criminals and arrested over 200 bank accounts through which gangsters used to launder their money. However, one of the most wanted persons of all – famous arms dealer Garry Luchansky – managed to escape. In mid-80ies the man served his term in the Archangelsk jail for ordinary theft, while ten years later he was welcomed as a dignitary by the Ministers of the former Soviet republics. Garry (which is short for Grigory in his case) visited Belarus, Radio Svaboda quotes Sergei Anisko, who used to work in mid-90ies in the Security Council of Belarus, as saying:

“He officially came here, paying visits to the Cabinet, Defense Ministry and “Beltechexport” company, set up when Vyacheslav Kebich was the country’s Premier. That’s when Luchansky first established contacts with the high Belarusian officials. He came here lots of times, we even have his passport’s number”.

According to Sergei Anisko, the Belarusian KGB learnt of these contacts and was concerned by the fact that the Russian criminal is implicated in some doubtful arms operations. They went on to inform the leaders of the country – then chairman of the Supreme Soviet Stanislav Shushkevich and Premier Vyacheslav Kebich. Sergei Anisko mentioned the document, signed by Shushkevich, reading that any contacts with Luchansky are highly undesirable.

However, after Shushkevich’s resignation in 1994, these contacts didn’t stop. Next year there occurred one of the most scandalous arms deals in the modern Belarusian history. They sold abroad part of the anti-aircraft missile S-300 complex, costing, according to rough estimations, some $0,5bln. Sergei Anisko claims that Luchansky helped the Belarusian officials to broker the deal.

According to him, the Belarusian authorities will now try to mask their contacts with Garry Luchansky, for they present an extreme danger for them.