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According to the head of Lithuanian diplomacy, the Baltic states were called to involve more people from the Belarusian power structures, OMON, the Supreme and Constitutional Courts called not only the secret inauguration of Lukashenko for the presidents this week, but also the continuing violence against the peaceful and demanding population.
“The inauguration pushed to expand the list, but that is not the main reason, it is only one of the elements. We saw that there was violence again on the day of the inauguration, tear gas was used. Nothing changes,” the minister told Eltai.
“After consulting with Latvians and Estonians, we believe that we must supplement our national sanctions lists; there will be more people and from the same institutions: power structures, KGB, OMON, courts, prosecution. I would highlight all the judges of the Constitutional Court, all in corpore. We believe this is a necessary response “, emphasized L. Linkevičius.
According to him, although the agreement on the sanctions imposed on Belarus at the European Union level remains stalled, the absolute majority of EU leaders are aware of the importance of the sanctions that will be imposed on the Lukashenko regime.
“The vast majority understand the importance of European sanctions, and EU leaders, the President of the European Commission and the EU’s foreign policy spokesman, Josep Borrell, have made very strong statements. The European voice is heard, but we cannot make a decision (on European sanctions – ELTA) because there is no consensus. On the other hand, we believe that our national sanctions also make sense and are important, “said L. Linkevičius, emphasizing that the” black list “expanded by the Baltic States Friday is certainly not the last step. According to the minister, it is necessary to start talking about the organization of an international investigation into the crimes committed by the power structures of Belarus.
“I would not rule out the possibility (to expand further – ELTA) of the authorized list of people who, in the event of a European decision, would not only have restrictions to enter the Schengen area, but would also have their accounts frozen. I think it should be started an international investigation into the alleged crimes. We are seeing more and more testimonies of possible crimes committed. Therefore, the sanctions are only an initial response, “the minister told Eltai.
On Thursday, the Lithuanian presidency informed the media that the Baltic states intend to expand the “black list” by adding 103 people. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry clarified that another 98 people were on the list.
ELTA recalls that the Seimas unanimously adopted a resolution on Thursday, asking the government to extend sanctions against the Belarusian regime and to add more than 80 officials of the Lukashenko regime to the “black list”. This was the fourth resolution adopted by the Lithuanian Seimas in response to the events in Belarus. A resolution was adopted last Tuesday expressing concern about the persecuted Belarusian public figures seeking publicity on issues related to the construction of the Astrava nuclear power plant. Earlier, on September 10, a resolution “On the Union of Russia illegal and imposed on Belarus” was adopted. On August 18, the Seimas passed a resolution declaring Lukashenko, the ruler of Belarus for a quarter of a century, an illegitimate leader.
Lukashenko was secretly sworn in as president on Wednesday. Both the leaders of the western states and the leader of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, declared that they did not consider Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus.
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