Biden calls for expanding sanctions on Lukashenko's 'henchmen' amid protests in Belarus

White House hopeful Joe Biden condemned alleged human rights abuses committed by Belarusian government heed by President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus is witnessing massive protests against authoritarian Lukashenko regime, as opposition leers call for a peaceful transfer of power after disputed election results.

Biden said in a statement that Lukashenko regime has responded to peaceful protests with bullets, stun grenes, mass detentions, and torture. septunarian leer assured that he continues to stand with people of Belarus and ir democratic aspirations, targeting President Donald Trump for t speaking on ir behalf.

“ leer who tortures his own people can ever claim legitimacy. That is why international community should significantly expand its sanctions on Lukashenka’s henchmen and freeze offshore accounts where y keep ir stolen wealth,” statement re.

Earlier this month, Belarusian government authorised police to use lethal weapons if necessary against anti-government protesters amid nationwide demonstrations. First Deputy Interior Minister Genny Kazakevich said in a video statement that protesters h “become organised and extremely rical.” He stated that y started with hurling stones and bottles and went on to wield knives, claiming that law enforcement ncies were confronted by “groups of militants, ricals, anarchists and football hooligans.”

"On behalf of interior ministry, I say that we will t leave streets and will guarantee law in country. Law enforcement personnel and interior troops will use special equipment and lethal weapons if need be," said Kazakevich.

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Biden to work with European allies

Meanwhile, European Council has decided to review EU’s relations with Belarus, which include scaling down bilateral cooperation with Belarusian authorities at central level and increase EU’s support to Belarusian people and civil society. Biden said that he will work with European partners and allies to lay out a plan of ecomic support for a truly sovereign, democratic Belarus. 

“Until n, I will continue to join Svetlana Tikhavskaya and people of Belarus in calling for peaceful transfer of power, release of all political prisoners, and free and fair elections,” he ded.

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