BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

31/05/2007

Belarusian KGB Arrests Head Of Petrochemical Concern, Others

Belarus's State Security Committee (KGB) on May 29 arrested Alyaksandr Barouski, the chairman of the Belarusian State Petrochemical Industry Concern (Belnaftakhim), on suspicion of corruption, along with several other heads of state-run and private companies, Belarusian media reported on May 30, quoting Prosecutor-General Pyotr Miklashevich. Barouski is reportedly also suspected of abuse of authority. Miklashevich told journalists that large amounts of cash, valuables, and documents related to the investigation were seized from the suspects, who were taken to a KGB pretrial detention center. Barouski, the former director of the Palimir synthetic-fiber factory in Navapolatsk, was appointed chairman of Belnaftakhim in December 2005. The petrochemical company accounts for more than one-fourth of Belarus's exports. KGB spokesman Valery Nadtachayeu told Belapan that the names of people arrested along with Barouski will not be disclosed for the time being, adding that secrecy is in the "interests of the investigation." JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/05/3-CEE/cee-310507.asp