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The EU puts the stick in the window of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. They are ready to sanction Lukashenko himself if the situation does not improve.
4:51 pm, October 12, 2020
EU countries agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on the rulers of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated, the situation should not improve. That was the opinion of the EU Foreign Ministers, including Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), on Monday in its conclusions. So far, the EU has imposed restrictive measures on 40 people held responsible for fraud in the presidential elections and the suppression of peaceful protests.
The EU wants to restrict bilateral cooperation with the Belarusian central authorities and increase support for the population and civil society. Financial donations will be adjusted accordingly, he said. Foreign Minister Schallenberg had spoken in favor of this in the run-up to the Council.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian police threaten the protesters with the use of firearms. The Interior Ministry has authorized the police to use firearms against protesters. The security forces would not yield to protesters in the streets “and if necessary they would use special equipment and lethal weapons,” he said in a statement posted on Telegram by the Interior Ministry in Minsk.
Violence in Minsk escalated again over the weekend. According to official information, around 700 people were arrested. Only a few were released, 570 were taken to prisons, he said. The human rights group Vyasna announced in Minsk on Monday that there were also numerous journalists among those arrested. Belarusian security forces had used explosive and stun grenades and tear gas in a massive demonstration by the democracy movement on Sunday and also used water cannons against protesters. The footage showed police beating protesters with batons and chasing them. There were numerous injuries.
Since the controversial presidential elections in August, people have regularly taken to the streets against the controversial head of state. The 66-year-old was confirmed for a sixth term with 80.1 percent of the vote. The EU does not recognize the outcome of the elections. The opposition sees civil rights activist Svetlana Tichanowskaya as the real winner of the vote.
