Admin I Wednesday, August 09, 2023
WASHINGTON – The United States today expanded sanctions it imposed on Belarus and Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime following what it called a fraudulent presidential election and Belarusian people’s demands for freedom.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the United States continues to stand with the brave people of Belarus as they seek a country grounded in the rule of law, respect for human rights, and an accountable, democratically-elected government.
“Today, the United States is sanctioning eight individuals and five entities for enabling Lukashenka’s domestic repression and facilitating Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“ Additionally, we are imposing visa restrictions on 101 regime officials and their affiliates for undermining or harming democratic institutions in Belarus, including several judges responsible for issuing politically-motivated sentences against Belarusians for exercising their fundamental freedoms”, Blinken said.
Blinken reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all 1,500 political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime, including Ales Bialiatski, Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kalesnikava, Ihar Losik, and Siarhei Tsikhanouski”, the statement said.
It added that since 2020, the Lukashenka regime has repressed Belarusian citizens, arrested peaceful protesters and community leaders, cracked down on opposition groups and civil society organisations, and subjected those detained to sham trials, all to maintain Lukashenka’s illegitimately acquired authority.
The United States, he said will continue to support the people of Belarus in their pursuit of a democratic future in free Belarus where human rights are respected.
The Department of the Treasury is in addition designating the “Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee of Belarus” and four members of its board of directors; three family members of U.S.-designated Aliaksey Ivanavich Aleksin; three entities owned or controlled by the Government of Belarus: Open Joint Stock Company Belavia Belarusian Airlines (Belavia), Open Joint Stock Company Minsk Civil Aviation Plant 407, Joint Stock Company Byelorussian Steel Works Management Company (BSW); one entity, Bel-Kap-Steel LLC, for being owned or controlled by BSW; and is identifying one aircraft owned by Belavia as blocked property. Treasury, he said took these actions pursuant to Executive Order 14038 “Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus.”
