Фото: пресс-секретарь правительства
The Prosecutor General’s Office has reported on the verdict in a corruption case in the tyre industry. Nine officials were prosecuted in the case. The name of the enterprise is not directly mentioned, but Belarus has only one tyre manufacturer — Belshina.
“It was established that from 2017 to July 2024, the accused systematically received bribes in exchange for ensuring uninterrupted shipments of the enterprise’s tyre products to a distribution network entity in Moscow for subsequent sale to end consumers in the Russian Federation. The total amount of bribes received by all members of the organised group exceeded 17 million rubles.
In addition, the court established that the former генеральный директор of the industrial enterprise exceeded his official powers while holding a responsible position, acting out of mercenary and other personal interests, which resulted in grave consequences in the form of damage to the enterprise.
Thus, from 2020 to 2023, he concluded a distribution agreement with a Russian company for the supply of ultra-large tyres, which were sold below cost price. In turn, the intermediary resold Belarusian-made tyres to end consumers with a high markup. Through his actions, the former head of the joint-stock company caused damage to the enterprise amounting to more than 9 million rubles,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The harshest sentences were handed down to the former director of the Belarusian enterprise and the head of the distribution network, who was recognised as the organiser of the criminal group. Each was sentenced to 14 years in prison, fined 5,000 basic units (225,000 rubles), and banned from holding positions involving organisational, administrative and financial responsibilities for five years.
The other defendants received prison terms ranging from 3 to 8 years, fines from 1,000 to 5,000 basic units (45,000 to 225,000 rubles), and five-year bans on holding positions involving organisational, administrative and financial responsibilities.
More than 11 million rubles in damages were also recovered from the former general director.
The verdict has not yet entered into legal force and may still be appealed.