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EU Plans Fresh Sanctions Against Belarusian Officials

February 27, 2012

by RFE/RL

BRUSSELS -- European Union officials say privately that the EU is planning fresh sanctions against Belarus in response to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's continuing repression of his political opponents.

The extended sanctions reportedly could be adopted as soon as February 27 by EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. The new sanctions would target 21 people, including 19 judges and two police officers.

The list reportedly does not include Yury Chizh, a personal friend of Lukashenka's and the owner of the FC Dynamo-Minsk soccer team.

Chizh also controls companies in energy, construction, real estate, retail sales, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.

Slovenia reportedly objected to sanctions against Chizh, but declined to give a reason.

The EU already has frozen the assets and placed a visa ban on 210 individuals with ties to Lukashenka's government.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/eu_plans_fresh_sanctions_against_belarusian_officials/24497884.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.