Germany detains prominent Belarusian businessman

In the photo: Yury Averyanov (center). Source: tut.by
In the photo: Yury Averyanov (center). Source: tut.by

Belarusian businessman Yury Averyanov on 18 January was detained in Germany. On 21 January, a Berlin district court ruled to keep the Belarusian under arrest for further deportation back to the home country, BELTA news agency reports quoting Dzmitry Bryliou, spokesperson for the Office of Belarus Prosecutor General.

Yury Averyanov was placed on the international wanted list in October 2017. In Belarus, he is suspected of tax evasion and tax fraud under Article 243 in the Penal Code. Depending on the size of damage caused, the businessman faces a fine, an arrest up to 6 months, restriction of freedom from three to five years or imprisonment from three to seven years with confiscation of property.

Averyanov is one of the first US dollar millionairs in Belarus. He opened market places and entertainment centers in Minsk, including the Dynamo clothes market and the car market. The businessman also opened the first private attractions park "Dreamland" in Minsk. Several years ago, he ran into problems with his creditors and left the country.