EU extends arms embargo Belarus

brussels - The EU extends the arms embargo against Belarus. The four people who were involved in the disappearance of a businessman, a journalist and two opposition members in 1999 and 2000 also remain on the sanction list until 28 February 2019.

Exports from the EU to Belarus of equipment for biathlon remain restricted. For example, the licenses must be approved by the national authorities on a case-by-case basis. The EU has now also added sports rifles and pistols to that measure.

The export-restricting measures were introduced in 2004 in response to the disappearance of the four. The arms embargo has been in existence since 2011. Exactly two years ago, 170 Belarusians, including President Alexander Lukashenko, were removed from the European Union sanctions list.