EU demands 'immediate liberation' of jailed Belarus activists
- On Sunday, 633 people were detained for illegal mass gatherings, one of the largest wave of arrests since the early days of the demonstrations.
BRUSSELS: The EU's top diplomat on Monday called on Belarus to immediately free the more than 600 people jailed following a crackdown on protests after a controversial August presidential election .
"The EU expects the Belarusian authorities to ensure the immediate release of all detained on political grounds before and after the falsified 9 August presidential elections," Josep Borrell said.
The disputed election has sparked demonstrations that have seen tens of thousands take to the streets of the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million on Russia's western borders, in an unprecedented challenge to strongman Alexander Lukashenko's 26 years in power.
On Sunday, 633 people were detained for illegal mass gatherings, one of the largest wave of arrests since the early days of the demonstrations.
"We strongly condemn the unabating arbitrary and unexplained arrests and detentions on political grounds in Belarus that have been taking place since the start of the pre-presidential election campaign," Borrell said.
"It is clear that the State authorities in Belarus continue to intimidate or allow intimidation of its citizens in an increasingly lawless way and crudely violate both their own domestic laws and international obligations.
"The EU will impose sanctions on individuals responsible for violence, repression and falsification of election results," he added.
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