Belarus intends to appeal to international courts against the restrictions imposed on the country's leadership by the European Union. This was stated by Alexander Lukashenko during his working trip to Brest voblast on June 23. "It's brainless, ill-conceived policy," he commented on the EU actions.
«I want to instruct my lawyers to consider this issue in the appropriate legal courts, bring lawsuits against not only those who introduced economic sanctions, but against journalists as well,» BelTA quoted Alexander Lukashenko.
In his view, the staff of the Belarusian media express their own point of view in their papers as they have that right. «What right have you, a democratic country, got to judge a journalist for his position? Why have you denied some reporters entry into the European Union?» the president said.
The Belarusian president also spoke up his mind about the sanctions imposed on government officials. «There are people who work in government, but have no relation to the election, especially the election of December 19? Maximum five persons (the president, the interior minister and others) were engaged in those events. Punish them, if needed, but leave those people along. What right have you got to ban entry for judges? You’re advocating for an independent judiciary, aren’t you?» he said.
EU Sanctions — Tiny Flea Bites, Lukashenko
Economic constraints, imposed by the EU against some Belarusian companies, won’t aggravate the situation in Belarus, the President said. «These are tiny flea bites. Neither they nor we benefit from them,» said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to him, Belarus will take retaliatory economic measures against the European Union. «If they bother us from the standpoint of economy, we’ll also find a reply. We have a lot of companies operating here, as well as the property we can strike very painfully on,» said the head of state.
«I don’t want to escalate this, so I give no answer, as these sanctions won’t aggravate the situation in the country. They just show what the world and what democracy in the West are,» he said.
I’m Not Financed by Companies, Subject to Sanctions, Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko also said that the Belarusian organizations, targeted for sanctions, do not fund any of the authorities.
«They (the companies) supposedly finance the government. Prove it! They are rogues and scoundrels. Put documents on the table proving that they have sponsored at least someone from the government — I will immediately take measures. If it touches upon me, I’ve long said, find this money and take it away,» he said.
As Telegraf previously reported, the council of foreign ministers of the European Union decided on June 20 to extend visa and economic sanctions against members of the Belarusian authorities, involved in «political repression after elections on December 19.» Thus, the «black list» of the EU was added by four new names.
Economic sanctions were imposed on the companies Beltechexport, Sport-Pari and BT Telecommunications, controlled by businessman Vladimir Peftiev, close to Alexander Lukashenko. The EU looks upon Peftiev as chief economic adviser to the Belarusian president and «financial sponsor of the Lukashenko regi
