Belarus election: Authorities block Viktar Babaryka's campaign account

The staff of Viktar Babaryka's presidential campaign on 17 June learned that the campaign account with the state-owned Belarusbank had been blocked. 

The bank's officials told the campaign's representatives that the remaining balance at the account was arrested. 

"The bank has failed to provide documents confirming the arrest or any other justification for the arrest," says Babaryka's official website.

The arrested remaining balance is over BYN100 000 (slightly less than $50000). The account is the only source allowed by the electoral laws to finance an election campaign by a presidential candidate.

"The blocked access to funds prevents the candidate from a full realization of its electoral rights. We are going to file complaints to relevant supervisory bodies," the presidential contender's team said in a statement.

Babaryka's campaign says the arrest of the account will not affect their work to collect and submit signatures for the ex-Belgazprombank CEO's nomination since their volunteers and nomination group members are not paid.  

One week ago, Belgazprombank and several associated companies were raided by Financial Investigation Department agents. The law-enforcement authority said it had evidence that several top managers were involved in large-scale tax evasion.

The chairman of the State Control Committee Ivan Tsertsel said Babaryka was personally involved in serious wrongdoings. 

Belarus news (in Belarusian/Russian) via Euroradio's Telegram

Daily videos and chats with experts on YouTube on Belarus developments. Subscribe here.