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Viktor BabarikoBelarusian banker, public and political figure
Date of Birth: 09.11.1963
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
- Viktor Babaryko: A Profile
- Business Career
- Philanthropy and Cultural Initiatives
- Presidential Candidacy and Political Persecution
- Election Headquarters
- - Maxim Znak, Lawyer, arrested on September 9
- Political and Criminal Charges
- Other Notable Events
- Political Views
- Family
- - Eduard, a businessman and founder of crowdfunding platforms.
- - Honorary title "Patron of Belarusian Culture" (2014)
Viktor Babaryko: A Profile
Early Life and EducationViktor Dmitriyevich Babaryko was born on November 9, 1963, in Minsk, Belarus. He graduated from Minsk Secondary School No. 92 in 1981 and went on to earn a degree in mechanics and mathematics from the Belarusian State University in 1988. During his undergraduate studies, he was expelled from the Komsomol and the university but was later reinstated. He completed the Academy of Management under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus in 1995 and obtained a master's degree from the Belarusian State Economic University in 2000.
Business Career
Babaryko began his career at the Powder Metallurgy Research and Production Association. In 1995, he joined Belgazprombank, which was later renamed as Olimp Bank. He became the bank's chairman in 2000 and served in that role until May 12, 2020.
Philanthropy and Cultural Initiatives
In 2008, Babaryko established the international charity fund "Chance," which provides financial assistance to children in need of medical treatment. He also played a significant role in bringing back to Belarus the original Bible of Francysk Skaryna and paintings by Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, and Léon Bakst. Babaryko founded the Ok16 cultural art space, which is dedicated to museum exhibitions, theater, and stage performances.
Presidential Candidacy and Political Persecution
On May 8, 2020, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly scheduled the presidential election for August 9. Babaryko announced his candidacy on May 12 and registered the second largest initiative group with 8,904 members on May 20.
Several prominent Belarusian figures publicly endorsed Babaryko's candidacy, including Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich and director Andrei Kureichik. On June 17, philosopher Vladimir Matzkevich signed for Babaryko's candidacy as a sign of solidarity with all those facing persecution during the election campaign. Former presidential candidates Vladimir Neklyaev and Andrei Sannikov also supported Babaryko.
Despite opinion polls showing him as the frontrunner, Babaryko was denied registration as a candidate on July 14. The Central Election Commission claimed that he had failed to declare all his financial assets, a decision that was widely criticized as politically motivated.
Election Headquarters
- Eduard Babaryko (son), Businessman, Head of Election Headquarters, arrested on June 18
- Maria Kolesnikova, Art director of Ok16 cultural hub, arrested on September 7
- Maxim Znak, Lawyer, arrested on September 9
- Ilya Salei, Lawyer, arrested on September 9- Yury Vaskresenskiy, Former Minsk City Council deputy, businessman, arrested on August 12
Political and Criminal Charges
On June 11, raids began at Belgazprombank. Several members of Babaryko's initiative group were detained, including Vladimir Dudarev, a former vice-mayor of Mogilev. The Committee of State Control (KGC) later announced the detention of 15 former and current Belgazprombank employees and opened a criminal case for tax evasion and money laundering.
Babaryko was initially not formally charged but was arrested on June 18 and sent to the KGB detention center. He is accused of being involved in the transfer of over $430 million from Belgazprombank accounts to Latvia. The investigation has been transferred to the KGB due to the alleged threat to national security.
Babaryko's arrest and subsequent disqualification from the election sparked widespread protests demanding his release.
Other Notable Events
- June 29, 2020: Amnesty International recognizes Viktor and Eduard Babaryko as prisoners of conscience.
- July 2, 2020: Babaryko is charged with tax evasion, money laundering, and bribery.
- July 3, 2020: Babaryko's appeal against his pre-trial detention is denied.
- July 24, 2020: The General Prosecutor's Office changes one of the charges against Babaryko from bribery to receiving illegal financial benefits as an organized group.
- October 10, 2020: Babaryko meets with Alexander Lukashenko in an attempt to facilitate dialogue with the opposition.
Political Views
Babaryko supports Belarusian political neutrality and advocates for the country's withdrawal from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He holds liberal views and believes in limiting presidential terms to two consecutive terms. Babaryko is also a staunch opponent of the death penalty in Belarus.
Family
Babaryko's wife, Marina, was the head of the board of trustees for the "Chance" fund. She passed away in 2017 during a diving accident in Madeira. His children include:
- Eduard, a businessman and founder of crowdfunding platforms.
- Maria, who lives in Australia.Awards and Honors
- Gratitude of the President of the Republic of Belarus (2002)
- Diploma of the Commission of the Republic of Belarus for UNESCO Affairs for significant contributions to international cultural ties (2008)
- Honorary title "Patron of Belarusian Culture" (2014)
- Best Manager (2016)- Top Manager according to the "Bank of the Year" banking award (2018)
