[ad_1]
The UK and Canada have announced sanctions against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko for allegations of fraudulent elections and violence against protesters.
Lukashenko’s son Viktor and members of his government also face sanctions, including frozen assets and travel bans.
The Eastern European nation has been seized by protests since the disputed elections on August 9, with violence against protesters and more than 12,000 detainees.
Despite many countries, including the UK, claiming the results were rigged, Lukashenko was sworn in as president in a secret ceremony last week.
The sanctions are the first imposed on the leader of Belarus by the major Western powers.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Today the UK and Canada have sent a clear message by imposing sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko’s violent and fraudulent regime.
“We do not accept the results of this rigged election.
“We will hold those responsible for the massacre against the Belarusian people to account and defend our values of democracy and human rights.”
Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne said: “Canada will not remain silent as the government of Belarus continues to commit systematic violations of human rights and shows no indication of being genuinely committed to seeking a negotiated solution. with opposition groups “.
Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, was the landslide winner of the election and denies that the outcome was rigged.
The European Union is also planning sanctions, but has not finalized its list so far.
The full list of those affected by the UK and Canadian sanctions is:
- Alexander Lukashenko, President
- Viktor Lukashenko, his son and national security adviser
- Igor Petrovich Sergeenko, Chief of Staff of the President
- Yuri Karayev, the Minister of the Interior
- Alexander Barsukov, Chief of the Public Security Police
- Yuri Nazarenko, commander of internal troops
- Khazalbek Atabekov, deputy commander of the internal troops
- Dmitry Balaba, Commander of the Minsk Special Purpose Police Unit
