{"id":52203,"date":"2023-11-29T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/api.pozirk.online\/?post_type=longreads&p=52203"},"modified":"2023-11-29T16:00:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T13:00:07","slug":"corruption-inherent-in-belarus-system","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/52203\/","title":{"rendered":"Corruption inherent in Belarus\u2019 system"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (pexels.com \/ Pix\u00adabay)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the run-up to elections, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka is imitating a new round of the fight against corruption. However, it is inherent in the Belarusian system because the government controls all spheres of life and the public sector plays a major role in the economy.

<\/strong>The Belarusian ruler recently spoke about high-profile corruption in the dairy industry, involving 26 top executives, 15 of whom are in custody. The main suspect is Hienad\u017a Skita\u016d, CEO of the Mahilo\u016d-based holding company, Babu\u0161kina Krynka. Ihar Bry\u0142o, \u0141uka\u0161enka’s aide and inspector for Viciebsk region, was also arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corruption flourishes despite arrests<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka won the 1994 presidential race on an anti-corruption message and the promise to crush government mafia clans. The image of an implacable fighter against corruption became his trademark. He has reassured Russian journalists that there is not so much corruption in Belarus as in Russia, because he does not steal and does not allow officials to steal. In 2018, during his trip to S\u0142uck, Minsk region, he said, “I clearly told the people during the first presidential election that there can be no corruption in Belarus.”

He has cast himself as a strongman capable of putting things to order. The system is authoritarian, but it fights for justice, the state wealth has not been plundered and there is no lawlessness of private owners, he argued. To safeguard state wealth, Belarus has as many as nine law-enforcement and security agencies authorized to engage in investigative activities.

Still, corruption is flourishing. \u0141uka\u0161enka reminds the public about it, revealing more and more cases.

Why is this happening? Because Belarus is a breeding ground for corruption. Its social model encourages it. The system, in which officials control all spheres of public life and the public sector plays the major role in the economy, is ideal for corruption.

While in most countries markets regulate socioeconomic processes, in Belarus officials make all decisions. The enormous power of bureaucracy is augmented by the lack of transparency and rule of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish rots from its head<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tools to curb corruption have long been known. They include reducing government meddling in the economy, social and public life, as well as strong opposition, civil society and independent media that scrutinize officials’ every move, the rule of law, and independent courts.

Belarus does not have any of these. Accountability of officials cannot be replaced by control by the authoritarian ruler, even if he is genuinely interested in defeating corruption.

The judiciary in Belarus takes orders from law enforcers and the head of state. It is enough for the KGB or State Control Committee to submit a report to \u0141uka\u0161enka, he makes a decision, and you are in jail. The accused has no chance to defend. The courts almost never acquit suspects, but if you have cash, you can get out as many rich people do.

\u0141uka\u0161enka encourages everyone to lead a modest life and serve the state. However, his behavior does not set a good example. The ruler satisfies his every whim at public expense. He has 16 residences and holds an annual international hockey tournament named after himself. This corrupts officials more than anything else.

Take his Property Management Office. Three of its heads lost their jobs after being accused of corruption.

Many senior officials have expensive villas at Drazdy, a posh residential district in downtown Minsk.\u00a0 The question is where did they get the money to build the million-dollar houses?

\u0141uka\u0161enka turns a blind eye to misconduct in his circle because corrupt executives are the most servile and loyal, they have nowhere to run.

\u0141uka\u0161enka says that candidates for high positions are vetted by the KGB and other “competent bodies.” So, the agencies must have case files against all of them.

Sometimes the KGB punishes officials for hiding some income from \u0141uka\u0161enka. Being out of control is considered a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No rule of law, no accountability
<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka continues the corrosive practice of pardoning officials convicted of corruption. Many of them leave prison early only to be sent to manage backward farms. Officials know that \u0141uka\u0161enka is above the law, so if they repent and write a petition, they can quickly be free.

Another factor that favors corruption is the lack of uniform economic rules that apply to all entities.

Each region has a free economic zone that offers tax breaks. The High-Tech Park and the Great Stone Industrial Park are essentially tax-free zones. \u0141uka\u0161enka established exclusive economic conditions in the Vor\u0161a district. State-owned enterprises are eligible for loans from state-controlled banks at lower interest rates and often fail to settle their debts. Foreign investors lobby for exclusive economic treatment. The boundaries between these grey zones are blurred.

In addition, the law enforcement agencies are free to interpret laws in a very subjective way, and it is impossible to appeal against their actions. Some wealthy people were put behind bars only to be released without charges after paying a ransom. Under such circumstances, the law is just irrelevant.

The lack of accountability, transparency and rule of law, secrecy of state administration, the judiciary\u2019s submission to the executive, and citizens\u2019 inequality before the law create an ideal breeding ground for corruption.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the run-up to elections, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka is imitating a new round of the fight against corruption. However, it is inherent in the Belarusian system because the government controls all spheres of life and the public sector plays a major role in the economy. The Belarusian ruler recently spoke about high-profile corruption in the dairy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":51718,"template":"","rubric":[22],"class_list":["post-52203","longreads","type-longreads","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","rubric-theviewer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCorruption inherent in Belarus\u2019 system | Pozirk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In the run-up to elections, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka is imitating a new round of the fight against corruption. 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