Former director of “Zhdanovichi” paid for freedom $30 mln

Yauheni Shyhalau has compensated for damages to the state completely.

It has been stated at a press-conference in Minsk by deputy Prosecutor General of Belarus Viktar Konan, “Interfax” informs.

“Shyhalau has repaid for damages to the state in full,” Konan informed.

As Konan specified, damages were equal to Br 80 billion (about $30 mln).

As earlier www.charter97.org informed, cases against Yauheni Shyhalau, general director of Zhdanovichy shopping center was initiated in January 2008. He was detained on April 5, 2008 and arrested on April 7. On April 15 he was charged under Article 424 part 3 of the Criminal Code of Belarus “abuse of official position”, and for illegal land seizure. On June 26 Yauheni Shyhalau was let out on bail of Br 10 bn.

In July Shyhalau visited London for treatment. The last few weeks before the release on bail he was under twenty-four-hour guarding in “Cardiology” Republican scientific and practical centre. He was there for treatment. Before the arrest he had two heart attacks and was operated.

As we have informed, the main accusation was improper use and seizure of land.

Speaking to the “house of representatives” on April 29, 2008, Lukashenka said Shyhalau “was buddying up 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.

As it was informed on October 1, Shyhalau was pardoned by Alyaksandr Lukashenka.