OFAC Issues New Belarus Sanctions
The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week issued new sanctions against three entities, nine people and one aircraft in Belarus for the country's suppression of pro-democracy protests following its "fraudulent" 2020 presidential elections.
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The sanctions target Open Joint Stock Company Belarusian Automobile Plant, one of the world's largest truck manufacturers, which threatened layoffs against employees who participated in the country's protests. OFAC also designated Sergei Olegovich Nikiforovich, the company's director.
Also sanctioned was Open Joint Stock Company Minsk Automobile Plant, one of Belarus' "biggest automotive manufacturers" and a "significant source of revenue" for the government. The agency designated the company's director, Valery Valerievich Ivankovich, and various members of the sanctioned Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus.
The agency also sanctioned EW-001PA, a Boeing 737 used as the country's presidential aircraft.
A new final rule amended the Belarus Sanctions Regulations to implement a 2021 executive order and incorporated a directive on sovereign debt issued under the order. The rule, effective March 27, also updated and added new definitions, general licenses, interpretative guidance and more.