EU tightens grip: New sanctions target Belarus car trade
The European Union imposed new sanctions on Belarus on Monday in response to the repression of civil society. These include, among other things, two companies, one of which assists in circumventing restrictions on the export of cars from the EU to Belarus.
On Monday, December 16th, the European Union imposed sanctions on 26 individuals and two companies from Belarus. This is a reaction to the repression of civil society. Among those sanctioned are judges who issued politically motivated verdicts, including against individuals criticising Alexander Lukashenko's regime.
The sanctions also affected the heads and deputy heads of penal institutions, as well as the head of the medical unit in one of these institutions, where political prisoners are held in inhumane conditions.
The sanctions list also includes owners and co-owners of companies that benefited from the Lukashenko regime, including privileges granted to their enterprises.
A blow to Belarusian car imports and transport
Among the companies sanctioned is Vlate Logistik LLC, a Belarusian transportation and storage company that has two checkpoints on the border with one of the EU countries and benefits from tax breaks. The restrictions also affect shareholders of this company.
The second entity is Ruzekspeditsiya LLC, which facilitated circumventing EU sanctions by participating in the delivery of cars whose export from the EU to Belarus is prohibited. The sanctions also included the owner of this company, Aleh Arlou.
Currently, EU sanctions against Belarus affect 287 individuals and 39 entities. They are subject to asset freezes, and citizens of the European Union and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds. Additionally, individuals are banned from travelling through EU countries.
