CELEX: 32020R1648
Language: en
Date: 2020-11-06 00:00:00
Title: Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1648 of 6 November 2020 implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus

6.11.2020   
               
               
                  EN
               
               
                  Official Journal of the European Union
               
               
                  LI 370/1
               
            
         COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/1648
         of 6 November 2020
         implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus
         THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
         Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
         Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus (1), and in particular Article 8a(1) thereof,
         Having regard to the proposals from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
         Whereas:
         
                     (1)
                  
                  
                     On 18 May 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus.
                  
               
                     (2)
                  
                  
                     On 9 August 2020, Belarus conducted presidential elections, which were found to be inconsistent with international standards and marred by the repression of independent candidates and a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the wake of those elections. On 11 August 2020, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) issued a declaration on behalf of the Union, assessing that the elections were neither free nor fair. It was also stated that measures against those responsible for violence, unjustified arrests and falsification of election results could be taken.
                  
               
                     (3)
                  
                  
                     On 2 October 2020, the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1387 (2) which designated 40 individuals identified as responsible for repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists in the wake of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, as well as for the Central Electoral Commission’s misconduct of the electoral process for those elections.
                  
               
                     (4)
                  
                  
                     On 24 September 2020, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the Union, saying that the so-called ‘inauguration’ and the new mandate claimed by Aleksandr LUKASHENKO lack any democratic legitimacy. The statement reiterated the Union’s expectation that the Belarusian authorities immediately refrain from any further repression and violence directed against the Belarusian people and immediately and unconditionally release all those detained, including political prisoners.
                  
               
                     (5)
                  
                  
                     In view of the gravity of the situation in Belarus, due to the ongoing repression of civil society and opposition activists, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO and 14 other persons should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006.
                  
               
                     (6)
                  
                  
                     Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,
                  
               HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
         
            Article 1
            Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.
         
         
            Article 2
            This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
         
         
            This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
            Done at Brussels, 6 November 2020.
            
               
                  For the Council
               
               
                  The President
               
               M. ROTH
            
         
         
            (1)  OJ L 134, 20.5.2006, p. 1.
         
            (2)  Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1387 of 2 October 2020 implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus (OJ L 319I, 2.10.2020, p. 1).
      
      
         
            ANNEX
            In Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006, the following persons are added:
            
               
                            
                        
                        
                           Names
                           Transcription of Belarusian spelling
                           Transcription of Russian spelling
                        
                        
                           Names
                           (Belarusian spelling)
                        
                        
                           Names
                           (Russian spelling)
                        
                        
                           Identifying
                           Information
                        
                        
                           Reasons for listing
                        
                     
                           ‘45.
                        
                        
                           Aliaksandr Ryhoravich LUKASHENKA
                           Alexandr Grigorievich LUKASHENKO
                        
                        
                           Аляксандр Рыгоравiч ЛУКАШЭНКА
                        
                        
                           Александр Григорьевич ЛУКАШЕНКО
                        
                        
                           President of the Republic of Belarus
                           DOB: 30.8.1954
                           POB: Kopys settlement, Vitebsk/Viciebsk Oblast, former USSR (now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           As President of Belarus with authority over State bodies, he is responsible for the violent repression by the State apparatus carried out before and after the 2020 presidential election, in particular with the dismissal of key opposition candidates, arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           46.
                        
                        
                           Viktar Aliaksandravich LUKASHENKA
                           Viktor Aleksandrovich LUKASHENKO
                        
                        
                           Вiктар Аляксандравiч ЛУКАШЭНКА
                        
                        
                           Виктор Александрович ЛУКАШЕНКО
                        
                        
                           National Security Advisor to the President, Member of the Security Council
                           DOB: 28.11.1975
                           POB: Mogilev/Mahiliou (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his position as National Security Advisor to the President and a Member of the Security Council, as well as his informal supervisory position over Belarus security forces, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular with arbitrary arrests and ill‐treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           47.
                        
                        
                           Ihar Piatrovich SERGYAENKA
                           Igor Petrovich SERGEENKO
                        
                        
                           Iгар Пятровiч СЕРГЯЕНКА
                        
                        
                           Игорь Петрович СЕРГЕЕНКО
                        
                        
                           Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration
                           DOB: 14.1.1963
                           POB: Stolitsa village in Vitebsk/Viciebsk Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his position as the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration, he is closely associated with the President and responsible for ensuring the implementation of presidential powers in the field of domestic and foreign policy. He is thus supporting the Lukashenka regime, including in the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
                        
                     
                           48.
                        
                        
                           Ivan Stanislavavich TERTEL
                           Ivan Stanislavovich TERTEL
                        
                        
                           Iван Станiслававiч ТЭРТЭЛЬ
                        
                        
                           Иван Станиславович ТЕРТЕЛЬ
                        
                        
                           Chairman of KGB, former Chairman of the State Control Committee
                           DOB: 8.9.1966
                           POB: village Privalki/Privalka in Hrodna/Grodno Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Chairman of State Security Committee KGB and in his former position as the Chairman of the State Control Committee, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular with arbitrary arrests and ill‐treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           49.
                        
                        
                           Raman Ivanavich MELNIK
                           Roman Ivanovich MELNIK
                        
                        
                           Раман Iванавiч МЕЛЬНIК
                        
                        
                           Роман Иванович МЕЛЬНИК
                        
                        
                           Head of Main Directorate of Law and Order Protection and Prevention at the Ministry of Internal Affairs
                           DOB: 29.5.1964
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Head of Main Directorate of Law and Order Protection and Prevention at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular with arbitrary arrests and ill‐treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           50.
                        
                        
                           Ivan Danilavich NASKEVICH
                           Ivan Danilovich NOSKEVICH
                        
                        
                           Iван Данiлавiч НАСКЕВIЧ
                        
                        
                           Иван Данилович НОСКЕВИЧ
                        
                        
                           Chairman of the Investigative Committee
                           DOB: 25.3.1970
                           POB: village of Cierabličy in Brest Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the Committee in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, notably with investigations launched against the Coordination Council launched by the opposition to challenge the outcome of that election and peaceful demonstrators.
                        
                     
                           51.
                        
                        
                           Aliaksey Aliaksandravich VOLKAU
                           Alexey Aleksandrovich VOLKOV
                        
                        
                           Аляксей Аляксандравiч ВОЛКАЎ
                        
                        
                           Алексей Александрович ВОЛКОВ
                        
                        
                           Former First Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee, currently Chairman of the State Committee for Forensic Expertise
                           DOB: 7.9.1973
                           POB: Minsk (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his former leadership position as the First Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the Committee in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, notably with investigations launched against the Coordination Council launched by the opposition to challenge the outcome of that election and peaceful demonstrators.
                        
                     
                           52.
                        
                        
                           Siarhei Yakaulevich AZEMSHA
                           Sergei Yakovlevich AZEMSHA
                        
                        
                           Сяргей Якаўлевiч АЗЕМША
                        
                        
                           Сергей Яковлевич АЗЕМША
                        
                        
                           Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee
                           DOB: 17.7.1974
                           POB: Rechitsa, Gomel Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the Committee in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, notably with investigations launched against the Coordination Council launched by the opposition to challenge the outcome of that election and peaceful demonstrators.
                        
                     
                           53.
                        
                        
                           Andrei Fiodaravich SMAL
                           Andrei Fyodorovich SMAL
                        
                        
                           Андрэй Фёдаравiч СМАЛЬ
                        
                        
                           Андрей Федорович СМАЛЬ
                        
                        
                           Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee
                           DOB: 1.8.1973
                           POB: Brest (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Deputy Chairman of the Investigative Committee, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign led by the Committee in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, notably with investigations launched against the Coordination Council launched by the opposition to challenge the outcome of that election and peaceful demonstrators.
                        
                     
                           54.
                        
                        
                           Andrei Yurevich PAULIUCHENKA
                           Andrei Yurevich PAVLYUCHENKO
                        
                        
                           Андрэй Юр’евiч ПАЎЛЮЧЕНКА
                        
                        
                           Андрей Юрьевич ПАВЛЮЧЕНКО
                        
                        
                           Head of Operational-Analytical Center
                           DOB: 1.8.1971
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as the Head of Operational-Analytical Center, he is closely associated with the President and responsible for the repression of civil society, notably with interrupting connection to telecommunication networks as a tool of repression of civil society, peaceful demonstrators and journalists.
                        
                     
                           55.
                        
                        
                           Ihar Ivanavich BUZOUSKI
                           Igor Ivanovich BUZOVSKI
                        
                        
                           Iгар Iванавiч БУЗОЎСКI
                        
                        
                           Игорь Иванович БУЗОВСКИЙ
                        
                        
                           Deputy Minister of Information DOB: 10.7.1972
                           POB: village of Koshelevo, Grodno/Hrodna region (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his leadership position as Deputy Minister of Information, he is responsible for the repression of civil society, notably with the Ministry of Information decision to cut off access to independent websites and limit internet access in Belarus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, as a tool of repression of civil society, peaceful demonstrators and journalists.
                        
                     
                           56.
                        
                        
                           Natallia Mikalaeuna EISMANT
                           Natalia Nikolayevna EISMONT
                        
                        
                           Наталля Мiкалаеўна ЭЙСМАНТ
                        
                        
                           Наталья Николаевна ЭЙСМОНТ
                        
                        
                           Press Secretary of the President of Belarus
                           DOB: 16.2.1984
                           POB: Minsk (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Maiden name: Kirsanova (RU: Кирсанова) or Selyun (RU Селюн)
                           Gender: female
                        
                        
                           In her position as Press Secretary of the President of Belarus, she is closely associated with the President and responsible for coordinating media activities of the President, including drafting statements and organising public appearances. She is thus supporting the Lukashenka regime, including in the repression and intimidation campaign led by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. In particular, with her public statements defending the President and criticising opposition activists as well as the peaceful protesters, made in the wake of 2020 presidential election, she contributed to seriously undermining democracy and the rule of law in Belarus.
                        
                     
                           57.
                        
                        
                           Siarhei Yaugenavich ZUBKOU
                           Sergei Yevgenevich ZUBKOV
                        
                        
                           Сяргей Яўгенавiч ЗУБКОЎ
                        
                        
                           Сергей Евгеньевич ЗУБКОВ
                        
                        
                           ALFA Unit Commander
                           DOB: 21.8.1975
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his commanding position over ALFA Unit forces, he is responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign carried out by these forces in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular with arbitrary arrests and ill‐treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           58.
                        
                        
                           Andrei Aliakseevich RAUKOU
                           Andrei Alekseevich RAVKOV
                        
                        
                           Андрэй Аляксеевiч РАЎКОЎ
                        
                        
                           Андрей Алексеевич РАВКОВ
                        
                        
                           Former State Secretary of the Security Council
                           DOB: 25.6.1967
                           POB: village of Revyaki, Vitebsk/Viciebsk Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: male
                        
                        
                           In his former position as State Secretary of the Security Council, he is closely associated with the President and responsible for the repression and intimidation campaign carried out by the State apparatus in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, in particular with arbitrary arrests and ill‐treatment, including torture, of peaceful demonstrators as well as intimidation and violence against journalists.
                        
                     
                           59.
                        
                        
                           Pyotr Piatrovich MIKLASHEVICH
                           Petr Petrovich MIKLASHEVICH
                        
                        
                           Пётр Пятровiч МIКЛАШЭВIЧ
                        
                        
                           Петр Петрович МИКЛАШЕВИЧ
                        
                        
                           Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus
                           DOB: 18.10.1954
                           POB: Minsk Oblast (former USSR, now Belarus)
                           Gender: Male
                        
                        
                           As the chairman of the Constitutional Court, he is responsible for the Constitutional Court’s decision adopted on 25 August 2020, by which the results of the fraudulent elections were legitimised. He has therefore supported and facilitated actions of repression and intimidation campaign by the State apparatus against peaceful protestors and journalists and is therefore responsible for seriously undermining democracy and the rule of law in Belarus.’.