A close associate of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, energy mogul Aleksin burst onto Belarus’ business scene in 2012, just after a cadre of senior oligarchs were sanctioned in response to the regime’s brutal crackdowns on political protest. Part of Aleksin’s fortune was stashed in Credit Suisse that same year.

In 2021, the European Union and United States finally blacklisted Aleksin as well, describing him as one of Lukashenko’s “wallets.”