Belarus (Belarus) considers one of the founders of Wargaming as a wanted terrorist. Software company Wargaming is best known for World of Tanks, a Free2Play tank shooter.
Nick Katselapov is Executive Director and Chief Business Development Officer at Wargaming: he is one of the founders and co-owners of the company. In Belarus he is considered a wanted terrorist.
The classification of the businessman as a terrorist came from the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus, information about the classification was published by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties (via pnkbel.by).
What does wargaming have to do with it? Wargaming was originally founded in Belarus but relocated its headquarters to the island of Cyprus back in 2011. It was previously often cited as one of the most profitable companies in Belarus (via gry-online.pl).
Nick Katselapov is also said to be one of the 20 richest Belarusians and is considered an entrepreneur with a lot of influence in the country (via gameworldobserver.com).
After Russia attacked Ukraine, Wargaming company closed its offices in Russia and Belarus. The aim of the measure was to “no longer own or operate any business in Russia or Belarus”.
– Ukraine Live Blog (via Time)
– War in Ukraine (via nzz)
– Solidarity with Ukraine (via Foreign Office)
Important NOTE: If you are plagued by dark thoughts about the current situation: you are not alone. Please get help. For example, with the telephone pastoral care on 0800/111 0 111 or the online pastoral care, where you can also use a chat. It’s free and applies nationwide.
Why is Katselapov considered a terrorist? The letter from the Ministry of Taxes and Duties shows that the entrepreneur is said to have provided financial support to organizations that are classified as terrorist organizations in Belarus.
However, it does not mention which organizations these should be. It only says that the basis for the classification is Article 290-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (via gry-online.pl).
The entrepreneur’s name was discovered on the list by the Belarusian daily Nasza Niwa (via nashaniva.com), which is considered critical of the government. It is one of the oldest newspapers in the country and has been counted as an “extremist formation” since 2022 (via currenttime.tv).
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and is considered the last dictatorship in Europe (via ARD Mediathek). The State Security Committee is considered the secret police and calls itself the KGB, just like the former and feared secret service of the Soviet Union.
It is currently not possible to say with certainty why Wargaming’s entrepreneur is now being sought as a terrorist.