Yury Chyzh (Belarusian: Юрый Чыж, Russian: Юрий Чиж, Yury Chizh, born 1963) is a Belarusian businessman, believed to be one of the country's richest people. According to estimates, he is the second-wealthiest businessman in Belarus, the first being Vladimir Peftiev.[1] On March 23, 2012, Chyzh was included in EU's travel ban list because of his alleged ties to the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.[2]
Early life
editYury chyzh was born in the village Sabali, Biaroza Raion, Brest Province in south-western Belarus.
He graduated from the electronic technical faculty of the Belarusian Polytechnical Institute. After graduation he made a career at the Minsk Tractor Plant and became head of energy supply of one of the factory's facilities.[3]
As a businessman
editIn 1994 Yury Chyzh established his company, Triple, which is active in construction business and production of construction materials.[1]
In the following years his business expanded into production of non-alcoholic drinks (AquaTriple), production of aluminium constructions, transport and several other areas. Yury Chyzh owns the prominent restaurant and brewery Rakauski brovar in Minsk.[3]
In 1999 Chyzh became member of the Council on development of entrepreneurship under the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
A BYPOL investigation has uncovered that Yury Chyzh had gifted a 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé worth half a million US dollars and a 1988 Panther Kallista to Lukashenko.[4]
As of 2013, Chyzh’s total wealth was estimated at $200 mln. He owned three petrochemical companies: Neonafta, Trayplenergo and Belneftegaz, meanwhile his Triple Group included 18 companies.[5]
In October 2022, the Belarusian Investigative Center declared that Yury Chyzh and his Lithuanian business partner Vitold Tomaševskij resold Russian oil under the guise of solvents in 2011–2012.[6]
Chyzh has apparently fallen out of favor with the Belarusian authorities.[6] He was under arrest in 2016 and from 2021 to 2022 on tax evasion charges;[7] in February 2023, Chyzh was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, but was released from serving the term due to an amnesty and the time he had spent in custody.[8]
Social activity
editYury Chyzh was president of the FC Dinamo Minsk. In 2008–2016, he was head of the Belarusian national wrestling federation. Chyzh sponsored the development of sports infrastructure in Minsk, including the construction of ice hockey rinks and the renovation of the Dynamo football stadium.[5]
Family
editYury Chyzh was married with two sons and a daughter.[9] In the spring of 2023, Yury Chyzh confirmed in an interview that he had divorced his wife and was in conflict with his family.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Юры Чыж: Гісторыя поспеху".
- ^ ЕС обнародовал черный список из 12 человек и 29 компаний. TUT.BY
- ^ a b "Кто есть кто в Республике Беларусь : Who is who in Belarus". Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ "The $6 million car fleet. Top 10 Lukashenka's bribe givers". European Radio for Belarus. January 3, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Kłysiński, Kamil (2013-09-12). "Big business in Belarus - its genesis, conditions and prospects". Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW). Retrieved 2024-06-30.
- ^ a b Šarūnas Černiauskas; Ales Yarashevich (November 22, 2022). "Belarusian Opposition Demands Action after OCCRP Uncovers Multi-billion Scheme". Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Юрий Чиж вышел на свободу спустя полтора года после задержания
- ^ Марина Коктыш (February 13, 2023). "Юрию Чижу дали 3 года и 6 месяцев лишения свободы". Narodnaja Volya (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-02-13.
- ^ "Супруга Юрия Чижа попала на страницы журнала". Narodnaja Volya (in Russian). September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11.
- ^ Марина Коктыш (May 12, 2023). "Как сегодня живет Юрий Чиж?". Narodnaja Volya (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-05-12.
External list
edit- Найбагацейшыя людзі Беларусі
- Triple Group official website