US extends sanctions against Lukashenka

The national emergency with respect to the Belarusian head of state and his retinue has been extended for a year.

The notice on continuation of the national emergency was signed by Barack Obama on June 13, the White House briefing room reports.

“In 2012, the Government of Belarus continued its crackdown against political opposition, civil society, and independent media. The September 23 elections failed to meet international standards,” the document says.

The notice says that the government arbitrarily arrested, detained and imprisoned citizens for criticizing officials or for participating in demonstrations and impeded the work of independent journalists.

“The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” the notice says.

In summer 2006, George Bush ordered to freeze assets of ten Belarusian top officials, including Aliaksandr Lukashenka, Viktar Lukashenka, Lidzia Yarmoshyna (the head of the Central Election Committee), Viktar Halavanau (then minister of justice), Viktar Sheiman (then special aide for Lukashenka), Dzmitry Paulichenka (then commander of the special rapid response unit), Stsiapan Sukharenka (then KGB chief), Aliaksandr Zimouski (then director of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company), Uladzimir Navumau (then interior minister) and Natallia Piatkevich (then deputy head of Lukashenka's administration).

Sanctions include freezing the assets of Belarusian officials. American companies are forbidden from doing business with them.