EU imposes targeted economic sanctions against Belarus
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The European Union has introduced targeted economic sanctions against Belarus in response to the escalation of human rights abuses in the country, as well as the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk on May 23, and the subsequent detention of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and Russian citizen Sofia Sapega.
In particular, the EU has imposed sanctions on the potash and oil sectors of the Belarusian economy, restricting the export of products from these industries to the bloc. The sanctions also prohibit EU member states from selling dual-use goods and technologies for military use to Belarus, as well as technology or software for monitoring or intercepting Internet and telephone communications.
In addition, the sanctions restrict access to EU capital markets and the European Investment Bank is set to halt “any disbursement or payments” in relation to public sector projects, as well as any technical assistance contracts with the authorities.
The EU has also restricted trade in goods used to produce or manufacture tobacco products.
On June 21, the European Council decided to impose sanctions against 78 Belarusian individuals and 8 entities. These restrictive measures include asset freezes and travel bans, and prohibit EU citizens and companies from making funds available to those on the sanctions list. This is the fourth package of sanctions the EU has introduced over “enduring repressions” in Belarus.
(1) The Ryanair diversion
On May 23, the Belarusian authorities arrested journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, after removing them from a Ryanair flight that was diverted to Minsk. The passenger plane, which was travelling from Athens to Vilnius, was forced to land in Belarus after the authorities reported an alleged bomb threat on board. Many European countries believe the Belarusian authorities hijacked the passenger plane in order to arrest Protasevich.