A recent Lithuanian court ruling has sparked far-reaching consequences — not only for the man at its center but for financial institutions, brands, and regulators tracking the global movement of high-risk capital. At the core: Aliaksandr Kozyrau (also operating as Alexander Kozyrev), a Belarusian national who, according to the ruling, illegally siphoned off over €525,000 from a company he managed.
The Vilnius District Court, in a final civil judgment issued in March 2025, confirmed that Kozyrau had unlawfully transferred corporate funds by manipulating shareholder records and internal governance structures. The court ordered full restitution of the stolen amount and flagged the case for further criminal review. Investigators in Lithuania are now pursuing criminal proceedings, including charges related to embezzlement, forgery of corporate documents, and money laundering.
But while legal efforts inside Lithuania continue, Kozyrau appears to have turned to more distant territories.
Beyond the Baltic: Tracing the Routes
Multiple entities connected to the fund transfers are registered outside Lithuania — including in Portugal, Northern Cyprus, and Belarus. Sources close to the case report that some activity is also linked to jurisdictions like Turkey and Paraguay, where regulatory enforcement may be slower or less transparent. These routes suggest a deliberate attempt to exploit cross-border systems for financial concealment and regulatory arbitrage.
One such company, Horeca Logistic UAB, received part of the disputed funds and is reportedly connected to logistics chains used to re-export goods to sanctioned destinations.
According to court documents, these transactions were not isolated — they were part of a wider scheme allegedly coordinated by Kozyrau to move funds through networks of personal and affiliated business accounts, some of which now fall under scrutiny by anti-money laundering agencies.
A Brand Pulled In
Among the more surprising developments in the case is the alleged misuse of the brand Blaser Café AG, a Swiss coffee company known internationally for its quality products and trusted distribution network.
Documents reviewed by this publication show that for years, Kozyrau portrayed himself as a supplier or local representative of Blaser Café AG — a claim he reportedly made in Belarus, Lithuania, Turkey, and elsewhere. In communications dated March 2025, concerned parties reached out to Blaser Café AG’s senior team, urging the company to clarify whether any official or informal relationship existed with Kozyrau or his affiliated businesses.
No public statement has been released by Blaser Café AG to date. However, internal discussions are believed to be underway, as brand misuse in high-risk jurisdictions can pose significant reputational and legal risks — particularly when linked to potential violations of EU sanctions frameworks.
What Authorities Are Watching
For investigators and compliance experts, the case offers a striking example of how financial crime, brand impersonation, and jurisdictional gaps can intersect. The alleged use of front companies, forged corporate filings, and international payment platforms highlights the operational challenges regulators face when attempting to trace financial misconduct across borders.
Kozyrau, who has not responded to repeated requests for comment, is believed to be maintaining an offshore presence and may be leveraging corporate vehicles in non-cooperative jurisdictions to avoid asset recovery efforts.
Lithuanian law enforcement continues its inquiry, and international cooperation is reportedly being considered — particularly with countries involved in recent fund transfers and logistics flows.
A Broader Pattern?
Cases like this underscore the ongoing vulnerabilities in global financial infrastructure — especially when individuals are able to move between countries with little regulatory friction. The blending of legitimate trade (like coffee distribution) with illicit activity makes it harder for institutions to detect misuse until legal action is already underway.
For now, Kozyrau remains under investigation — and for authorities in several jurisdictions, the trail is far from cold.