EU court dismisses lawsuit filed by Lukashenko's ally

The EU Court of Justice has dismissed a lawsuit filed by businessman Alexander Shakutin, who is close to the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, seeking to lift the sanctions imposed on him.

This was reported to Yevropeiska Pravda by the press service of the EU Court of Justice.

"The factual evidence provided by the Council of the EU is sufficiently specific, precise, and consistent to establish that Mr. Shakutin benefits from and supports the Lukashenko regime," the court ruled.

Following the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, which was recognized by the EU Council as not meeting international standards and marred by the repression of independent candidates and the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, the EU Council prepared a new round of restrictive measures against Belarus.

In particular, it has expanded the list of persons banned from entering the country and whose funds and economic resources are frozen.

Among those whose names have been added to the list is Belarusian citizen Aliaksandr Shakutin.

The EU Council identified him, among other things, as one of the leading businessmen operating in Belarus with business interests in construction, engineering, and in the construction, engineering, and agricultural sectors, as well as having benefited from privatization during Lukashenka's tenure as president.

Mr. Shakutin applied to the General Court for the lifting of the restrictive measures imposed on him.

In today's ruling, the General Court dismissed Shakutin's claim and thus upheld the restrictive measures imposed on him.

Author - Olena Madiak, 07/06/2023