Businessman bought off Lukashenka with ice arena

• 2.10.2009, 16:28

Chairman of the shopping center “ZhdanovichY” Yauheny Shyhalau was pardoned on a decision of the Belarusian ruler.

Interfax learnt this on Thursday from the law-enforcement agencies.

“The head of state signed an order to pardon Shyhalau,” officers of the law-enforcement agencies said.

In accordance with the law, the Prosecutor General must sign a regulation on suspension of criminal prosecution against the individual.

“Besides Shyhalau, two more persons involved in this case have been pardoned,” the law-enforcement agencies informed.

As www.charter97.org has already reported, a case against chairman of the Shopping Center “Zhdanovichy” Yauheny Shyhalau was instigated in January 2008. He was detained on April 5, 2008, arrested on April 7. On April 15, Shyhalau was charged with the abuse of power or office and illegal seizure of land. On June 26, Shyhalau was released on 10-bln-ruble bail.

Shyhalau went to London for treatment in July. Y. Shyhalau was under treatment in the cardiological center for some weeks before his release the last weeks. Shyhalau had two heart attacks and a surgery before his arrest.

We remind that the main accusation was improper use and seizure of land.

Speaking to the “house of representatives” on April 29, 2008, Lukashenka said Shyhalau “was very close to the government and President’s Administration”.

Yauheny Shyhalau must have compensated the state 85 billion rubles (or more than $31mln) for the damage. Zhdanovichy director was offered to build a new ice arena in Chyzhouka district as a form of compensation. The businessman seems to have managed to buy off Lukashenka.