EU calls for 'immediate release' of opponents in Belarus

Demonstration in Minsk on August 18 against Alexander Lukashenko.

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The head of the diplomacy of the European Union Josep Borrell on Monday called the Belarusian authorities to "the immediate release" of political opponents and recalled that it would impose sanctions "on those responsible" for the repression in the country.

"The EU expects the Belarusian authorities to ensure the immediate release of all those detained for political reasons before and after the falsified presidential elections of August 9," wrote Josep Borrell in a statement.

“It is clear that the authorities of the Belarusian (Belarus) state continue to intimidate or allow intimidation of its citizens (...) and grossly violate both their own national laws and their obligations international, ”said the Spaniard.

Put an end to "political persecution" 

He notably cited the case of Maria Kolesnikova, the only important figure of the opposition who chose not to go into exile abroad, who according to his entourage was "kidnapped" by strangers Monday morning.

“We expect the authorities to put an end to political persecution,” he insisted.

He recalled that the EU would impose “sanctions on those responsible for the violence, repression and falsification of election results”.

A demonstration on Sunday gathered for the fourth consecutive weekend a record crowd of more than 100,000 people in Minsk, despite an impressive deployment of the police and even the army in the capital. 

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• Belarus

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