Smuggler Artur Grantz, from Lukashenko’s circle, controls duty-free operations in Belarus and owns a luxury business in Lithuania

30 March 2026 , 22:32

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Smuggler Artur Grantz, from Lukashenko’s circle, controls duty-free operations in Belarus and owns a luxury business in Lithuania

Arturas Hrancas, a Belarusian- and Armenian-citizen businessman who owns HeJi restaurant in Vilnius and the Esperanza Resort in Trakai, is linked to an institution of Alexander Lukashenko’s administration, an LRT investigation said.

The LRT public broadcaster’ Investigative Team said Lithuania-registered Mello Trading, controlled by Hrancas, operates in Belarus’ duty-free sector through Belamarket Duty Free in partnership with Dipmarket, a company owned by Lukashenko’s administration.

The joint venture runs a network of more than 30 stores in Belarus. Hrancas’ Mello Trading holds a 50.1% stake, with the remainder owned by the presidential administration’s company. Although Mello Trading says it is not currently operating in Belarus, data from the Centre of Registers show it generated about EUR 2 million in profit last year from duty-free activities in the country.

Elizabeth Baker

Technology & Business Editor