The United States is imposing new sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko

Mediafox reported on Wednesday that the Donald Trump administration imposed additional sanctions against the Belarusian regime, targeting 40 officials and four companies in the wake of the crackdown.

“The United States continues to support international efforts to independently investigate Belarusian election irregularities, human rights abuses and repression related to the presidential election,” said Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.

“We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Belarus and support the right to free and fair elections,” Mike Pompeo said.

The Belarusian opposition is running in the August presidential election, which was officially won by President Alexander Lukashenko. More than 30,000 people were detained after participating in the protests.

The sanctions, announced by the United States on Wednesday, also targeted Belarus’ Deputy Interior Minister and Director of Police Henats Arkadzievich Kazakovich and 39 Minsk officials.

Belarus’ Central Electoral Commission, the Minsk Special Forces Police Division (Oman), the Minsk Directorate of Internal Affairs and the KGB Alpha, an elite unit of the Secret Service, have been targeted.

“Belarusian citizens are trying to quietly exercise their basic democratic rights, and the government is repeatedly retaliating with violent repressive measures. Said Steven Munuchin.

In October, the United States authorized eight Belarusian government officials. The European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have imposed similar sanctions.

Author: Liviu Gojan