Poland imposes sanctions against owner of Belarus' Santa Bremor, Savushkin Product companies

MINSK. July 10 (Interfax) - The Polish authorities have added Belarusian entrepreneur Alexander Moshensky, owner of the Savushkin Product and Santa Bremor companies, to the national sanctions list, according to materials on the website of the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Moshensky is also included in the list of foreigners whose stay in Poland is considered undesirable.

The rationale for the decision on sanctions indicates that Moshensky "is an individual directly connected personally, organizationally, economically and politically with the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko." His entrepreneurial activity "remains unclear and is marked by pronounced contradictions."

"The following shall be applied to the individual: freezing of funds and economic resources [...] in the possession, disposal, actual possession or under control in full; a ban on the provision in his favor, directly or indirectly, of any funds or economic resources; a ban on conscious and intentional participation in activities, the purpose or consequence of which is the direct or indirect circumvention of these measures; exclusion from the procedure for public procurement or competitions," the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.

Moshensky heads Santa Bremor, which is the largest importer and producer of fish, fish products, seafood, caviar and other food products in Belarus. Moshensky is also the owner and CEO of Savushkin Product, which produces dairy goods.

As noted, both enterprises have access to preferential state resources. "As a result of his entrepreneurial activity, carried out with the active support of the Belarusian authorities, Alexander Mashensky entered the top ten most influential and successful businessmen," according to the document.

The justification for the sanctions also specifies that Moshensky supported Lukashenko, including in the 2020 elections, and is part of the president's inner circle. According to the Polish authorities, this indicates Moshensky's deep integration into the Belarusian regime. Consequently, his stay in Poland "may pose a threat to national security."