The US government is introducing new sanctions against Belarus for diverting a plane carrying journalist and activist Roman Protasevich on board. Once landed in Minsk, he and his girlfriend were last Sunday arrested.
“A direct violation of all international standards,” Biden’s spokesman Psaki calls the conduct of Belarus, which has bomb threat forced the aircraft to change course. With the sanctions, the US wants to “hold the regime accountable for this act and show that we support the aspirations of the Belarusian people”.
Washington’s new sanctions target nine Belarusian state-owned companies, which Americans are now banned from doing business with. The US is also working with the EU and other allies on a list of targeted sanctions against senior members of Lukashenko’s regime.
Travel advice
The Biden administration calls on Belarusian President Lukashenko to authorize an international investigation into the Ryanair incident. It also calls for the release of all political prisoners in the country and to start a conversation with the opposition that will eventually lead to fair presidential elections.
Americans are advised not to travel to Belarus for the time being. The FAA has warned airlines to be “extremely careful” when flying over Belarus.
earlier the EU has already announced economic sanctions in connection with the arrest of Protasevich. European airlines are also advised to avoid Belarusian airspace and aircraft from Belarus are banned from Europe.
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