Mikalai Varabei
{{short description|Belarusian businessman}}
{{family name hatnote|Mikalayevich / Nikolayevich|Varabei / Vorobey|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
Mikalai Mikalaevich Varabei (or Verabei,His surname in Russian (Vorobey) is transliterated into Belarusian as Varabei, but some media uses the translation of the word "vorobey" (sparrow), which is Verabei. The exact passport form of his name is uncertain, the EU sanctions list specifies both. {{langx|be|Мікалай Мікалаевіч Варабей / Верабей}}; Nikolay Nikolayevich Vorobey, {{langx|ru|Николай Николаевич Воробей}}) is a Belarusian businessman (petrochemical and coal wholesaler, banker). Due to his close relations with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, the Council of the European Union imposed sanctions on him, as did several non-EU countries.
Early life
{{external media
| float = right
| width =
| image1 ={{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220901144629/https://naviny.media/sites/default/files/bremino-tv.jpg Left to right: Alexander Lukashenko, Victor Lukashenko, Mikalai Varabei, Aliaksei Aleksin, Aliaksandr Zaitsau]}}
}}
Early life of Varabei is almost unknown. He was born presumably in 1963 in Ukrainian SSR and graduated from the Kyiv State University (history department).{{cite web|url=http://www.21.by/businessman/nikolai-vorobei.html|website=21.by|title=Николай Воробей. 21.by|accessdate=2020-12-23}}{{cite web|url=https://ej.by/rating/business2013/vorobey.html|title=Николай Воробей | Ежедневник|website=ej.by|accessdate=2020-12-23}} In the only (as of 2020) interview, he stated that he lives in Belarus after military service in the Soviet Army in 1985–1987.{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/631771.html|title=Зачем Воробью "труба" в Украине. Один из самых непубличных бизнесменов Беларуси дал первое интервью|website=news.tut.by|accessdate=2020-12-23}} In 2016, businessman and statesman Aliaksandr Shakutsin claimed that he knew Varabei for 20 years.{{cite web|url=https://zautra.by/news/news-22897|title=Кто из белорусских богачей сохранил совместный бизнес со старыми друзьями - Заўтра тваёй краіны|website=zautra.by|accessdate=2020-12-23}} It was reported that he worked as a car service station master in Navapolack. Some media called him "a native of Naftan [oil refinery]" (also in Navapolack).
Assets and international sanctions
In early 2014, Varabei became officially known as the co-owner (with Shakutsin) of {{abbr|OOO|Limited liability company}} Interservis ({{langx|ru|ООО Интерсервис}}).{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/422213.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Шакутин и Воробей официально оказались владельцами нефтетрейдера "Интерсервис"|accessdate=2020-12-23}} In early 2010s, Interservis was suspected to participate in the illegal trade schemes, exporting Russian and Belarusian petrochemicals made from Russian petroleum as goods with smaller export duties ("solvents affair").{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/667791.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Годы особой уязвимости. Нефтяные войны Москвы и Минска поразительно совпадают с электоральным циклом |accessdate=2020-12-23}}{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/375538.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Инвестиционные проекты в Беларуси: в активе, пассиве и на будущее|accessdate=2020-12-23}}{{cite web|url=https://grom-ua.org/node/3544|title=Николай Воробей, "кошелёк" Медведчука и Лукашенко: что он делает в Украине (досье) | Grom.|website=grom-ua.org|accessdate=2020-12-23}} In 2012–2013, Interservis bought bitumen refinery in Minsk region and increased its share in Amkodor machinery factory.{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/302073.html|website=news.tut.by|title="Веска-ЭмульБит" обошлась "Интерсервису" в 4,5 млн долларов|accessdate=2020-12-23}}{{cite web|url=https://freeregion.info/1271-vorobey-eto-ne-mif.html|title=Воробей — это не миф » Свободный регион|website=freeregion.info|accessdate=2020-12-23}} In 2014, Interservis bought Belarusian Absolutbank. Later, Shakutsin and Varabei divided their assets: Varabei got bitumen refinery, petrochemical business and bank, and Shakutsin got Amkodor company.{{cite web|url=https://belsat.eu/news/ukraintsy-dali-belaruskamu-biznesoutsu-dazvol-na-nabytstsyo-naftapraduktapravoda/|website=belsat.eu|title=Украінцы далі беларускаму бізнесоўцу дазвол на набыццё нафтапрадуктаправоду|accessdate=2020-12-23}}
In 2013, Varabei became a co-founder and co-owner of Bremino Group (with Aliaksei Aleksin and {{ill|Aliaksandr Zaitsau|ru|Зайцев, Александр Николаевич (бизнесмен)}}), which operates several logistics complexes and a special economic zone in Orsha district, created by Lukashenko's decree. Belarusian economist Jaroslav Romanchuk called Bremino projects a business of elites, establishment and siloviki. Romanchuk also suggested that these businessmen will turn into business oligarchs.{{Cite news|title=Оршанский офшор. Кто окажется в шоколаде | naviny.by|website=naviny.media}}{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/556529.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Владельцы "Бремино Групп" нашли подрядчика на строительство логистического центра в Болбасово |accessdate=2020-12-23}}
As of 2019, 100% of shares in OOO Interservis belonged to OOO Krasny Bor. 99% of OOO Krasny Bor was owned by Varabei, 1% was owned by his wife Tamara. OOO Krasny Bor also owns one of the biggest hunting farms in Belarus. In 2019, Ezhednevnik magazine put Varabei on 16th place in its top-200 of Belarusian wealthy and influential businessmen.{{cite web|url=https://ej.by/rating/business2019/vorobey.html|title=Николай Воробей | Ежедневник|website=ej.by|accessdate=2020-12-23}}
On 17 December 2020, the Council of the European Union imposed sanctions on both Varabei and Shakutsin (EU Regulation No 2020/2129). According to the regulation, Varabei was recognized "benefiting from and supporting the Lukashenka regime" for his activities in Bremino Group, which enjoyed several forms of support by the government, including tax breaks.{{cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/2129/oj|title=EUR-Lex - 32020R2129 - EN|website=EUR-Lex | date=2020-12-17|accessdate=2020-12-23}} On 21 June 2021, his two companies, Bremino and NNK, were added to the EU list as well.[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0997&from=EN COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/997] — EUR-Lex, 21 June 2021 Varabei and these two companies were also sanctioned by the United Kingdom,{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/996772/Belarus.pdf|title=CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK|date=2021-06-25|publisher=Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation HM Treasury}} Switzerland,{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.seco.admin.ch/dam/seco/de/dokumente/Aussenwirtschaft/Wirtschaftsbeziehungen/Exportkontrollen/Sanktionen/Verordnungen/Belarus/belarus_2021-07-07.pdf.download.pdf/Belarus_2021-07-07.pdf|title=Sanctions program: Belarus: Verordnung vom 11. Dezember 2020 über Massnahmen gegenüber Belarus (SR 946.231.116.9), Anhang 1 Origin: EU Sanctions: Art. 2 Abs. 1 (Finanzsanktionen) und Art. 3 Abs. 1 (Ein- und Durchreiseverbot)|first=|last=|date=2021-07-07|publisher=Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707175409/https://www.seco.admin.ch/dam/seco/de/dokumente/Aussenwirtschaft/Wirtschaftsbeziehungen/Exportkontrollen/Sanktionen/Verordnungen/Belarus/belarus_2021-07-07.pdf.download.pdf/Belarus_2021-07-07.pdf|archivedate=2021-07-07|accessdate=2021-07-10|url-status=live}} and Canada.{{Cite web|url=https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/consolidated-consolide.aspx?lang=eng|title=Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List|date=2015-10-19|publisher=Global Affairs Canada|accessdate=2021-06-29|lang=en}}
On 23 December 2020, Belarusian media tut.by noticed that the "Absolutbank" changed the page with the ownership structure. According to the updated information, owners of the Interservis are three people reported to be the company's management. Varabei and his wife were not mentioned in the new version (original version of the page was saved by the Internet Archive[https://web.archive.org/web/20190421170312/https://absolutbank.by/o-banke/upravlenie-bankom/akczioneryi-banka.html Акционеры банка и бенефициарные собственники банка, являющиеся таковыми в отношении не менее пяти процентов акций банка] (Internet Archive)){{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/712537.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Компаниями попавшего под санкции Воробья стали владеть его менеджеры|accessdate=2020-12-23}}
On 19 February 2021, National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine ordered to nationalize Soviet-built oil product pipeline {{ill|Prykarpatzakhidtrans|uk|Прикарпатзахідтранс}} ({{langx|uk|Прикарпатзахідтранс}}; {{langx|ru|Прикарпатзападтранс — Prikarpatzapadtrans}}), which was owned by Mikalai Varabei and a German resident, allegedly associated with Viktor Medvedchuk.[https://biz.liga.net/ekonomika/tek/novosti/snbo-poruchilo-vernut-v-gossobstvennost-truboprovod-medvedchuka СНБО поручил вернуть в госсобственность трубопровод. Его связывали с окружением Медведчука ]
On 9 August 2021, Varabei was added to the SDN list by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Companies owned by him or otherwise linked to Varabei (Absolutbank, BelKazTrans, BelKazTrans Ukraine, Bremino Group, Industrial Unitary Enterprise Oil Bitumen Plant, Interservice, NNK, NNK East) were designated as well.{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0315|title=Treasury Holds the Belarusian Regime to Account on Anniversary of Fraudulent Election|website=|date=2021-08-09|publisher=United States Department of the Treasury|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809161340/https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0315|archivedate=2021-08-09|accessdate=2021-08-10|url-status=live}}
A BYPOL investigation has uncovered that Varabei had gifted a vintage ZIS-110 worth about half a million dollars and a Tesla Model S to Lukashenko.{{Cite web|url=https://euroradio.fm/en/6-million-car-fleet-top-10-lukashenkas-bribe-givers|title=The $6 million car fleet. Top 10 Lukashenka’s bribe givers|work=European Radio for Belarus|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=May 6, 2024}} According to a September 2022 joint investigation by the Belarusian Investigative Center and {{ill|Dossier.at|lt=Dossier|de}}, Varabei's immediate family controls multiple properties in Austria, including a chalet in Carinthia and flats in Vienna.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/lavish-austrian-property-of-belarusian-oligarch-under-eu-sanctions-revealed/|title=Lavish Austrian property of EU-sanctioned Belarusian oligarch revealed|work=Euractiv|date=2022-09-27|access-date=2023-04-12|first=Georgi|last=Gotev}}
Varabei also has business activities in Ukraine. He is allegedly connected with Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and with NT Marine company which sells Russian coal to Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://nv.ua/biz/finance/biznes-partner-medvedchuka-hochet-kupit-bank-v-ukraine-bta-bank-novosti-ukrainy-50129570.html|title=Бизнес-партнер Медведчука хочет купить банк в Украине — БТА Банк — новости Украины / НВ|website=nv.ua|accessdate=2020-12-23}} On 9 December 2020, Ukrainian anti-monopoly committee published regulation (23 November 2020 727-r) which allowed Varabei to buy Ukrainian BTA Bank.{{cite web|url=https://news.tut.by/economics/710827.html|website=news.tut.by|title=Белорусский олигарх покупает банк в Украине |accessdate=2020-12-23}}{{cite web|url=https://amcu.gov.ua/npas/pro-nadannya-dozvolu-na-koncentraciyu-450|author=Kitsoft|title=Про надання дозволу на концентрацію | Антимонопольний комітет України|website=amcu.gov.ua|accessdate=2020-12-23}} Later National Bank of Ukraine refused to sell the bank to Varabei.[https://news.tut.by/economics/716324.html Переоформляют активы, пишут жалобы, продолжают зарабатывать. Как бизнес отреагировал на санкции ЕС] In 2022, Varabei,{{cite web|title=VOROBEY Nikolay / Nikolai Nikolaevich|url=https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/en/sanction-person/526/|work=National Agency for Prevention of Corruption}} Bremino Group{{cite web|title=Bremino Group LLC|url=https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/en/sanction-company/276/|work=National Agency for Prevention of Corruption}} and NNK{{cite web|title=CJSC Novaya Neftenaya Kompaniya (New Oil Company)|url=https://sanctions.nazk.gov.ua/en/sanction-company/184/|work=National Agency for Prevention of Corruption}} were added to the sanctions lists of Ukraine and Japan, while Absolutbank and Varabei's daughter{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/skhemy-medvedchuk-i-vorobey/31264448.html|title=Кум Путіна, олігарх Лукашенка: як Микола Воробей співпрацює з Медведчуком і збагачується в Україні (розслідування)|first1=Михайло|last1=Ткач|first2=Максим|last2=Савчук|first3=Любомира|last3=Ремажевська|date=2021-05-20|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|accessdate=2023-04-12|language=uk}} Ekaterina Smushkovich were blacklisted by Canada.{{Cite web|url=https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2022/2022-03-30/html/sor-dors49-eng.html|title=Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations: SOR/2022-49|work=Canada Gazette|date=2022-03-30|access-date=2023-04-12}}
In November 2023, the European General Court dismissed Varabei's request to lift the European Union sanctions against him.{{cite web|title=Европейский суд отказался снять санкции с Воробья|url=https://reform.by/evropejskij-sud-otkazalsja-snjat-sankcii-s-vorobja|website={{ill|Reform.by|be}}|date=2023-11-09}}
References
{{Reflist|3}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varabei, Mikalai}}
Category:21st-century Belarusian businesspeople
Category:Belarusian businesspeople
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Belarusian individuals subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions