Norway follows EU, imposes sanctions on 40 Belarusian officials

The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on 40 Belarusian officials, who are now denied entry into the EU. Furthermore, their assets have been frozen.

Norway will follow suit and do the same.

“As we have previously announced, Norway will follow the EU and introduce restrictive measures against the same circle of officials as the EU did,” Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) said in a statement.

She also commented on the demonstrations after the elections in Belarus on August 9, by stating that the people have shown great courage and great perseverance.

In support of democracy

“They need our support in the fight for democracy. The authorities must refrain from violence, release political prisoners, and enter into dialogue with the opposition,” Søreide said.

On Friday, the EU decided to impose sanctions on 40 Belarusians on the grounds that the country had brutally cracked down on the demonstrations and accusations of electoral fraud.

“This sends a strong message that the EU supports the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their president through free and fair elections and that we condemn oppression and violence against people who act only in accordance with their rights,” EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said at the time while announcing the sanctions.

Lukashenko is not on the list of people who are being denied entry and whose assets in the EU are frozen.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today