Belarus: EU prolongs sanctions for a year

On 25 February, the European Council prolonged until 28 February 2022 the restrictive measures targeting high-level officials responsible for the violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, members of the opposition and journalists in Belarus, as well as those responsible for electoral fraud. The EU sanctions also target economic actors, prominent businesspeople and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Alexandr Lukashenko.

The restrictive measures consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze for listed persons – currently 88 individuals, including Alexandr Lukashenko – and an asset freeze applicable to 7 entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly.

After the fraudulent presidential election in August 2020, and the ensuing wave of demonstrations which have been violently depressed by the Belarusian authorities, the EU has imposed sanctions in October, November and December 2020. Thus, the EU signals to the responsible political and economic actors that their actions and support for the regime should come at a cost, says a press release issued by European Council.

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Press release

European Union strongly condemns repression carried out by Belarusian authorities: statement on the escalating repression of journalists