Because of the “blatant disregard for human rights” by the Belarusian authorities, the repression of protests and hundreds of political prisoners in the country, Washington resumes sanctions against Belarusian state-owned enterprises
This was announced by the U.S. State Department and the Treasury Department.
The State Department said in a statement that “there are more than 340 political prisoners in the country as a result of the suppression of protests caused by rigged presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020. Therefore, the US administration decided that “a further extension of the sanctions suspension would be inconsistent with the Belarus Democracy Act and with American values.
The sanctions will be renewed against nine companies: “Belarusian Oil Trading House”, “Belneftekhim”, “Belneftekhim USA”, “Belshina”, “Grodno Azot”, “Grodno Khimvolokno”, “Lakokraska”, “Naftan”, “Polotsk Fiberglass”.
Now American citizens and companies must stop cooperating with these enterprises by June 3, 2021, in 45 days.
Also, any transactions with them and with companies in which these enterprises have a 50% stake or more are prohibited.
In 2015, the US Treasury Department suspended sanctions against these nine companies and granted permission to cooperate with them, which was renewed annually.
News Front recalls that since 9 August 2020, protests against the rigged presidential election results won by Alexander Lukashenko have continued in Belarus.