US targets Belarusian sanctions evasion network, 2 entities registered in Cyprus

The US designated on Monday ten individuals and twelve entities, two of which are part of a global arms network and are registered in Cyprus.

The action, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a press release, “sustains US financial pressure on the Lukashenka regime for its continuing support for Russia’s war against Ukraine and the financial benefit it derives from this activity.”

According to US Ambassador in Nicosia, Julie Fisher, US and Cyprus “continue our shared efforts to oppose authoritarianism and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine”.

She added in a post on ‘X’ that “building on previous sanctions for the fraudulent August 2020 election in Belarus & Lukashenka’s support of Russia’s illegal invasion, designated today 10 individuals & 12 entities, 2 of which are part of a global arms network & are registered in Cyprus”.

Meanwhile, according to the US Department of the Treasury, the Black Shield network “uses intermediary and front companies such as Centuronic Ltd (Centuronic) and S. Group Airlines Ltd, both located in Cyprus, and Rayya Danişmanlik Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi (Rayya Danismanlik), located in Turkiye, to conduct their business”.

( Source CNA)