Former Belarussian Oil Executive Charged With Embezzlement

Belarusian Prosecutor-General Pyotr Miklashevich told journalists in Minsk on June 25 that Alyaksandr Barouski, former head of the State Petrochemical Industry Concern (Belnaftakhim), has been charged with embezzlement, abuse of office, and disclosure of secret information, Belarusian media reported. Barouski, along with several other heads of state-run and private companies, was arrested last month by the Belarusian KGB (see "RFE/RL Newsline," May 31, 2007). "At this time [Barouski] is being presented with the official charges," Miklashevich said. "Other persons are also being charged. This is in connection with supplies of oil products. Losses, naturally, amount to millions of dollars."