German owner of Duty Free shops in Lithuanian airports does business in Belarus too

It is claimed that Gebr. Heinemann not only operates in Belarus as a distributor of international brands' goods but also continues to supply the Belarusian Duty Free system, including shops at Minsk airport and border trade points.

Journalists claim that supplies took place even during periods of political tension and restrictions in the region when Belarus was already under sanctions and international isolation.

Documents obtained by LRT and Laisvės TV indicate that just over a month ago, Gebr. Heinemann transported luxury goods through Lithuania to a warehouse at Minsk airport. And this was not a one-off shipment. In its 2024 report, the company itself emphasized that business in Belarus is recovering.

It is separately noted that, according to commercial data and internal reporting, the company's business in Belarus not only did not stop but even showed growth. Investigators cite the company's own explanation, which states that it acts exclusively as a distributor and operates within the national legislation of each country, and also complies with all applicable sanctions requirements and international norms. It emphasizes that its role is the supply of branded products, not political activity.

However, journalists point out that the actual recipients of goods in Belarus are structures that manage Duty Free shop networks and may be linked to state interests. Specifically, companies Helena Valery and Dipmarke are mentioned, which control the Belarusian duty-free market and have ties to state bodies. According to the material, some of these structures may be connected to individuals and organizations under EU sanctions.

Separate emphasis is placed on the fact that the Belarusian Duty Free market is effectively controlled by a system close to Lukashenka's government and can be used as a source of stable income for state and quasi-state structures. The material claims that some of the companies involved in this business are linked to organizations that are part of the regime's so-called administrative and financial 'infrastructure'.

It is also noted that journalists had previously reported on Gebr. Heinemann's connections to the Russian market and possible supplies to Russia even after the introduction of sanctions. This led to additional scrutiny of the company by investigators and the public in Lithuania.

Against the backdrop of these publications, Lithuanian state bodies and airport administrators conducted checks on the company's activities and its subsidiary structures.

According to their official position, a special national security commission had already considered the issue and allowed the continuation of contracts for the lease and operation of Duty Free shops in Vilnius and Kaunas. The authorities note that no sufficient grounds were found to terminate cooperation or restrict the company's activities.

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