Reader Virginijus contacted the 15min editorial office, sending a photo from a video uploaded to Celofanas’ Facebook account, which allegedly shows the logo of the construction, renovation, and household goods retail chain “Senukai” in Minsk.
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“The “Senukai” shopping center branch in Minsk is working perfectly!” wrote Celofanas, who is hiding from law enforcement and has an European arrest warrant issued against him.
This photo raised questions for the 15min reader: “As a Lithuanian citizen, I cannot remain indifferent when I see publicly disseminated information that a shopping center associated with “Senukai” is still operating in Minsk. If this is true, very serious questions arise. For more than four years, Belarus has been one of the main supporters of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Many international companies have withdrawn from this market, incurring millions in losses due to values and reputation,” the reader asked to verify this information.
“Senukai”: trademark used illegally
The retail group “Kesko Senukai” indeed managed the “OMA” company, which has construction material stores, in Belarus since 2007. However, “Kesko Senukai” states that it terminated its relationship with it in 2022 and sold the company in Belarus in 2025.
Liubovė Aleksandra Zaiceva, “Senukai” Head of Communications for the Baltic States, emphasized to 15min that “Senukai” has not been conducting any activities in Belarus for some time.
“In 2022, with the start of Russian aggression in Ukraine, we terminated all business ties, supply chains, and cooperation in Belarus. This is our conscious decision based on value principles. The “OMA” share sale process, initiated immediately, was implemented last year due to the actions of the Belarusian authorities, after signing the share sale agreement,” commented L.A.Zaiceva.
According to her, the “Senukai” logo is being used illegally by former partners.
“We regret that our brand is being used in some locations managed by a former partner without our consent, without any involvement or knowledge from us, and has nothing to do with our company’s activities or position,” emphasized the “Senukai” representative.
“International business ethics or legal rules do not apply in Belarus, so our efforts to physically remove the sign and legally defend it are currently unfeasible,” she added.
As BNS wrote, the group’s 2025 report states that last year “Kesko Senukai”‘s revenues in Belarus grew by 2.1 percent to 140.2 million euros, and the subsidiary OMA had a credit line at the end of the year and had pledged 17.85 million euros worth of inventory and assets to banks.
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“According to mandatory accounting standards, OMA was still included in our consolidated reports. Therefore, in response to what revenues were received in Belarus, the answer is – we did not receive any revenues, OMA received them,” commented L.A.Zaiceva to BNS.
Celofanas, on trial, fled to Belarus
The Vilnius City District Court this week concluded the examination of the case of Antanas Kandrotas, nicknamed Celofanas, who is hiding abroad, regarding a public order violation. The court will announce its decision in September.
According to pre-trial investigation data, on the evening of December 18, 2025, around 7 p.m., during an event held in the capital’s Independence Square, A.Kandrotas, by his insolent behavior, demonstrating disrespect for those around him and the environment, disturbed public peace and order.
BNS previously reported that during a protest for free speech, A.Kandrotas exchanged words with Valdas Bartkevičius, a fundraiser for Ukraine. The latter spat on Celofanas, after which he punched V. Bartkevičius in the face, causing him minor health impairment.
A.Kandrotas, who ended up in court, violated the conditions of his preventive measure – a written pledge not to leave the country – at the beginning of May and fled to Belarus.
Regarding Celofanas, who was convicted of financial crimes, the court issued a European arrest warrant, and the Ministry of Justice is preparing to apply to Belarus for his extradition.
On June 11, the Lithuanian Court of Appeal also upheld the guilty verdict in the financial crimes case, shortening A.Kandrotas’ prison sentence to three and a half years. This decision came into effect immediately, and the convicted person should already be in prison, but he is in hiding, so a search for Celofanas has been announced.
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