Canada imposes sanctions on 22 Belarusian officials in Ukraine war amid opposition leader’s visit – National

Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie announced new sanctions on Tuesday in response to Belarus’ support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Joly said in a statement that the Belarusian leadership enabled human rights abuses and allowed the country to serve as a launch pad for Russian aggression.

Canada has added 22 Belarusian officials to its sanctions list, including those involved in the stationing and transportation of Russian military personnel and equipment.

Sanctions will also affect 16 Belarusian companies in the military manufacturing, technology, engineering, banking and railway sectors.

The announcement came as expelled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsihanuskaya traveled to Ottawa to attend meetings with Jolie, MPs and senators.

Jolie says the two will discuss the complicity of President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime in the war and the importance of upholding democracy in Belarus.

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Lukashenko came to power in the 2020 elections, which were widely considered rigged.

The opposition’s main challenger, Tihanuskaya, fled to Lithuania after a vote under public pressure, and the government unleashed a sweeping crackdown on the protests, arresting more than 35,000 people.

“President Lukashenko’s complete disregard for human rights at home and abroad cannot be justified,” Jolie said in a statement.

“These measures will put additional pressure on the Belarusian leader. President Lukashenko must stop being an instrument of the Russian regime.”

— with files from the Associated Press.

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