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### Viewing cable 07MINSK125, THE "GOOD FELLAS" IN LUKASHENKO'S CIRCLE

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07MINSK125 | 2007-02-09 15:03 | 2010-12-20 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Minsk

`

    VZCZCXYZ0000
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHSK #0125/01 0401506
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 091506Z FEB 07
    FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5617
    INFO RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
    RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L MINSK 000125

    SIPDIS

    DEPT ALSO FOR INR/B
    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2017
    TAGS: PGOV PINR BO
    SUBJECT: THE "GOOD FELLAS" IN LUKASHENKO'S CIRCLE

    Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d).

    Summary
    -------

    ¶1. (C) A Russian-based internet newspaper has been publishing
    a series of reports on alleged criminal rackets organized
    and/or headed by Lukashenko's former Minister of Interior
    Sivakov and commander of the President's personal special
    forces unit Pavlichenko. Reliable Embassy contacts asserted
    that the allegations are true and provided more details on
    the corrupt dealings of these notorious characters. However,
    even if the claims are true, these men's close relationship
    to Lukashenko and their participation in previous dirty deeds
    on his behalf virtually guarantee them protection from
    prosecution. Both men are on the U.S. visa ban and asset
    freeze lists for their suspected involvement in the 1999-2000
    disappearances of opposition leaders. End summary.

    BKGB Investigation Leads to Sivakov
    -----------------------------------

    ¶2. (U) In late November 2006, a generally reliable
    Russian-based internet newspaper, "Belaruskiy Partizan,"
    reported that the Belarusian KGB's special forces unit ALFA
    raided the office of the pro-government association of
    veterans of special forces "Chyest" (Honor) following an
    investigation into smuggling and money laundering. State
    media or GOB officials have not commented on this alleged
    incident. According to Belaruskiy Partizan, dozens of people
    were arrested, including the "Chyest" executive director
    Andrey Shirai. However, the head of "Chyest," former
    Minister of Sports and Tourism Yuri Sivakov, who
    Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
    Rapporteur Christos Pourgourides cited in his 2003 report as
    a suspect in the 1999-2000 disappearances of several
    opposition activists, remains free, even after allegedly
    refusing to disclose the source of USD 450,000 the BKGB
    confiscated from his safe.

    ¶3. (U) According to reports from Belaruskiy Partizan, the
    raid on "Chyest" headquarters was the result of an
    independent investigation into a customs house racket
    involving the illegal importation and transit of foodstuffs
    and appliances. In November 2006, state and independent
    media reported that 50 border guards and customs officers in
    Minsk and Grodno were convicted and sentenced to prison for
    accepting bribes in exchange for letting 600 trucks cross the
    Belarusian border between 2002 and 2004 without paying USD
    4.7 million in import duties. According to Belaruskiy
    Partizan, the BKGB followed the money trail to a series of
    bank accounts totaling USD 500 million, some of them
    belonging to "Chyest" executive director Shirai.

    Shirai Washing GOB Officials' Money
    -----------------------------------

    ¶4. (U) Belaruskiy Partizan investigative reporter Ivan
    Kovalchuk explained that Sivakov appointed Shirai as
    executive director of "Chyest," despite the latter's previous
    convictions for theft and embezzlement. Shirai was
    apparently well known among the GOB elite and BKGB as a money
    launderer for state construction companies, private
    businesses owned by government officials, and several
    GOB-controlled enterprises. Kovalchuk's source noted that
    Shirai was very close to some BKGB officials and members of
    the State Control Committee.

    "Chyest" Rolling In the Dough
    -----------------------------

    ¶5. (U) BKGB officers during the alleged raid confiscated USD
    430,000 in cash and the organization's financial ledger,
    which revealed that "Chyest's" liquid financial assets were
    around USD 890,000. According to Belaruskiy Partizan, the
    BKGB discovered that "Chyest" was transferring approximately
    USD 1.5 million dollars daily to financial institutions in
    Poland, then to Russia, and finally accumulating in the U.S.,
    often in bank accounts under Shirai's name.

    The Benefactors and the Source
    ------------------------------

    ¶6. (C) Former investigator for the public prosecutor's
    department and now human rights activist Oleg Volchek
    supported the claims made in Belaruskiy Partizan's reports.
    According to Volchek's contacts in the BKGB, not only was
    Sivakov a direct benefactor of the "Chyest" racket, but money
    trails from the organization also led to senior National
    Assembly deputies like Vladimir Konoplyov and senior
    Presidential Administration figures, like deputy head Natalya
    Petkevich.

    ¶7. (C) Much of the money Shirai laundered allegedly came from
    Colonel Dmitry Pavlichenko and his SOBR unit's financial
    exploits (see paragraph 9). According to Volchek,
    Pavlichenko and his death squad, who operate under
    Lukashenko's direct command, are the most powerful "krisha"
    (roof) or "protection" for businesses and generate a lot of
    revenue from bribes. (Note: Pavlichenko and his SOBR unit
    were also cited in PACE Rapporteur Pourgourides' report as
    the likely triggermen in the opposition leader disappearances
    and the physical liquidation of crime bosses shortly after
    Lukashenko's rise to power. Konoplyov, Petkevich, and
    Pavlichenko are on the U.S. visa ban list. Petkevich and
    Pavlichenko are also on the U.S. asset freeze list. End
    note.)

    BKGB Abandons Case, Passes It to Ministry of Interior
    --------------------------------------------- --------

    ¶8. (U) Not long after news of the "Chyest" raid surfaced, the
    BKGB passed the case to the Ministry of the Interior.
    Volchek believed that BKGB Head Stepan Sukharenko, upon
    realizing whose money he was chasing, decided to back off.
    On January 31, Belaruskiy Partizan indicated that Sivakov
    suddenly resigned as head of "Chyest," leaving command to
    Pavlichenko. Sivakov's departure was allegedly due to
    personal conflicts with the SOBR commander. OMON riot police
    commander Yuriy Podobed (also on the U.S. visa ban and assets
    freeze lists) followed suit, allegedly claiming that
    self-dignity would not allow him to continue work under
    Pavlichenko's command.

    Pavlichenko's Money Exchange Offers Poor Rates
    --------------------------------------------- -

    ¶9. (C) In mid-November, Belaruskiy Partizan also reported
    that Pavlichenko and his SOBR unit severely beat a black
    market currency speculator on the steps of the Borisov police
    station. Not long after the incident, political activist
    Viktor Kornyenko informed Poloff that Pavlichenko was the
    main "krisha" in Borisov and his victim failed to pay
    Pavlichenko bribes.

    ¶10. (C) On January 18, political analyst Vladimir Podgol
    shared with Poloff information that he received from his
    contacts about the Pavlichenko incident in Borisov. Podgol
    also alleged that Pavlichenko and his SOBR unit has been
    operating a "krisha" for several business sectors, including
    money exchange. Lately, Pavlichenko's tributes from money
    speculators in Borisov decreased because a new group of
    speculators emerged that were giving customers better rates
    of exchange and, hence, stealing his business.

    The Shakedown, GoodFellas Style
    -------------------------------

    ¶11. (C) According to Podgol, Pavlichenko and his SOBR unit
    attempted to arrest the leader of the competing money
    speculators as the latter was about to make a USD 50,000
    exchange. The speculator managed to escape to the police
    station but was caught by Pavlichenko before reaching the
    doors and a severe beating ensued. Podgol maintained that a
    female police officer ordered Pavlichenko to stop, but
    Pavlichenko, using graphic language, threatened to kill her.
    Once they finished beating the speculator, Pavlichenko and
    his men went to the speculator's house and seized USD 16,000
    on top of the USD 50,000 they had already confiscated. They
    then delivered the speculator to an undisclosed Minsk
    detention facility, where he remains today, if not dead.

    Comment
    -------

    ¶12. (C) The allegations against Sivakov and Pavlichenko seem
    credible, given that both men have notorious reputations as
    criminals and, in Pavlichenko's case, as murderers. The
    facts will likely never be fully revealed, given the obvious
    political sensitivities and the depth of corruption in the
    regime. However, both men truly owe their protection to
    their leader, President Lukashenko, on whose behalf they are
    suspected of committing heinous crimes.
    Stewart

`