Lithuanian president suggests sanctioning specific Belarusian goods rather than companies

February 24, BPN. It would be easier to monitor the implementation of international sanctions against Belarus if they applied to specific goods, rather than companies, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on February 23.

“If we sanctioned the goods and did not make any reservations, I think the control authorities would be able to do their work much more efficiently,” he said at the Vilnius Book Fair, as quoted by LRT.

Regulatory authorities had to carry a heavy burden because the sanctions were very complex, Nausėda said.

He added that some Lithuanian companies flying Ukrainian flags in their yards were helping Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime to circumvent them.

“We have to decide which side we are on, the side of Ukraine and truth, or the side of lies and filth,” the Lithuanian president said.

On February 20, Lithuanian investigative journalism center Siena published a story on sanctions, which describes how Belarusian fertilizers are transported through Lithuania.

According to the investigation, Hrodna Azot-produced urea is transported by rail to Klaipėda’s Bulk Cargo Terminal (Birių Krovinių Terminalas). It is partly owned by Belaruskali, a Belarusian state-owned company. Like Hrodna Azot, it falls under EU sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Customs Department’s criminal service, in cooperation with the State Security Department and the Financial Crime Investigation Service, is investigating the smuggling of fertilizers produced by Hrodna Azot.

Delfi reported that the criminal investigation began on January 13. It is supervised by the Klaipėda District Prosecutor’s Office. More than 3,000 tons of urea worth more than €2 million, which were transported by rail, were seized.

The offices of three commercial companies were searched. Law enforcers suspect that these companies may have participated in shady schemes to circumvent international sanctions. Two suspects have been detained. According to the case file, a clean Belarusian company might have been used as a cover to evade the sanctions.