European Union Imposes Additional Sanctions Against Citizens of Russia's Ally Belarus Over Repression and Human Rights Violations

The EU Council on Monday imposed restrictive measures against 28 more people in Russia's ally Belarus for their role in internal repression and human rights abuses. This is a group of long-time supporters of self-proclaimed President Lukashenko who have benefited from the regime.

This is reported on the website of the European Council.

Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds. Individuals are also subject to an entry ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting the EU.

It is noted that, in particular, restrictive measures were applied against two deputy heads of the Main Department for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption (GUBOZiK) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus. The GUBOZiK is one of the main bodies responsible for political persecution in Belarus, including arbitrary and illegal arrests and ill-treatment, including torture, of activists and members of civil society.

The sanctions also targeted Irina Akulovich, director general of the largest state news agency, the Belarusian Telegraphic Agency (BelTA); Nikita Rachilovsky, host of the Senate TV programme on the STV channel and chairman of the Youth Council of the National Assembly of Belarus; and Dmitri Zhuk, former head of Lukashenka's press service and long-time director general of BelTA. 

These regime propagandists willingly provided the Belarusian public with false information about repression by the state authorities, spread disinformation created by both Belarusian and Russian authorities, and promoted hatred towards the democratic opposition and civil society.

In total, the EU's restrictive measures against Belarus now cover 261 individuals and 37 legal entities.