EU likely to extend sanctions against Belarus officials
The EU's Council of Ministers is scheduled on April 7 to study the issue of extending for one more year the sanactions against a number of high-ranking officials in Belarus, reports Belapan.
Under the sanctions, several Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenka, are banned from entering the territory of the European Union. Their bank accounts in the EU are frozen.
Initially, the 'black list' included officials who might be associated with the disappearance of several opposition politicians in 1999-2000, comprising Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau, Security Council Chairman Viktar Sheiman, former interior minister Yury Sivakou and special police brigade commander Dzmitry Paulyuchenka.
In December 2004 after the parliamentary elections and the referendum, Lidziya Yarmoshyna, the chair of the Central Elections Commission, and Yury Padabed, the commander of a special police regiment, were added to the entry-ban list. In April 2006, the list was expanded to include a total of 37 people.
Alexander Lukashenka is also on the list for violating human rights during the 2006 presidential campaign. The EU's sanctions were later joined by around 10 non-EU countries.
Under the sanctions, several Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenka, are banned from entering the territory of the European Union. Their bank accounts in the EU are frozen.
Initially, the 'black list' included officials who might be associated with the disappearance of several opposition politicians in 1999-2000, comprising Interior Minister Uladzimir Navumau, Security Council Chairman Viktar Sheiman, former interior minister Yury Sivakou and special police brigade commander Dzmitry Paulyuchenka.
In December 2004 after the parliamentary elections and the referendum, Lidziya Yarmoshyna, the chair of the Central Elections Commission, and Yury Padabed, the commander of a special police regiment, were added to the entry-ban list. In April 2006, the list was expanded to include a total of 37 people.
Alexander Lukashenka is also on the list for violating human rights during the 2006 presidential campaign. The EU's sanctions were later joined by around 10 non-EU countries.
