US sanctions 20 individuals, 12 entities in Belarus

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US designated 20 individuals and 12 entities in Belarus, citing President Alexander Lukashenko administration's "blatant disregard for international norms and the wellbeing of its own citizens," the Treasury Department said Thursday.

"The persons designated today have enabled the regime’s migrant smuggling into the European Union (EU), have taken part in the ongoing crackdown on human rights and democracy, and have propped up the regime financially," the agency said in a statement.

As well as three aircraft identified as blocked property, the Treasury is also imposing restrictions on dealings in new issuances of Belarusian sovereign debt in the primary and secondary markets.

The action is being taken in coordination with the EU, UK and Canada, said the department.

"The United States stands alongside its international partners and allies in imposing costs on the Lukashenka regime for its deplorable behavior, including migrant smuggling," said Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control Andrea Gacki.

"Treasury will continue to work with the international community to address the Lukashenka regime’s repression, corruption, and flaunting of internationally recognized human rights," she added.

Those sanctioned include Lukashenka’s middle son, Dzmitry Lukashenka, Dmitriy Mikhaylovich Korzyuk, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and the former head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.