[ad_1]
15 minutes has already written about a study by the NEXTA team, which talks about the luxury residences and the collection of cars that may belong to A. Lukashenko.
Brussels denies such accusations.
VIDEO: Lukashenko thanks Putin for financial support during mass protests: talks end with skiing
“Media coverage of the alleged EU support for the Lukashenko regime’s buildings and residences is completely unfounded,” Ana Pisonero, spokesperson for European Neighborhood and Development Policy, told Deutsche Welle.
What is A. Lukashek accused of?
On March 8, the study “Golden Bottom” of the opposition project “NEXTA” on the luxurious lifestyle of A. Lukashenko appeared on the YouTube platform. The film claims that Minsk is using EU funds for other purposes.
According to EU grants for green projects, they were used for the construction of four Lukashenko residences located in protected areas.
The investigators rely on an anonymous source who allegedly works in the presidential administration. According to the source, the funds allocated for the repair of the Daugava river embankment were used for the construction of fountains and the reconstruction of Victory Square in Vitebsk. No further evidence was provided.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Aliaksandras Lukašenka
It is also about loans and credits that Belarus has received from the EU for various projects. The authors of the film claim that for this money the people of Lukashenko’s surroundings built residential houses and sold the apartments in them at a much higher price. The price difference fell into the pockets of A. Lukashenko and his wheel.
NEXTA founder Stepan Putilo told Deutsche Welle that some of the documents could not be published because the conditions were raised by sources.
EU projects in Belarus
The EU often funds projects in Belarus. They range from dozens of health care reforms to regional development and support for civil society. Based on the website Europrojects.by, most of these projects focus on the green economy, the environment and sustainable development.
Each of them is allocated from several hundred thousand to several million euros. After 2016, when Brussels lifted sanctions against Lukashenko and his country, the number of such projects increased.
VIDEO: 15/15 Lukashenko’s regime sends two journalists behind bars. Why am I not listening to demands to execute them?
Belarusian opposition activist, activist and director of the civic initiative Our Home, Olga Karach, told DW that Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey had convinced Europeans that by helping Belarus, he would help preserve their independence from Russia.
Karach said he was unfamiliar with the NEXTA material, but tended to believe the allegations were justified. People raising questions about corruption in Belarus are rapidly losing their jobs and being deported.
The European Commission does not agree with such accusations.
“Bilateral EU grants are subject to internal and external control procedures, including inspections and audits to ensure that funds are used in accordance with the project objectives and funding rules,” DW quoted the spokesperson for the UE, Pisonero.
[ad_2]
