Belarus Headlines

The European Union strengthened sanctions against Belarus during a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday by placing a further 13 individuals on the list of designated persons subject to travel restrictions and an assets freeze. The new names are judges and prosecutors who have been involved in recent trials of opposition presidential candidates. During the meeting the foreign ministers failed to agree on economic sanctions on companies that are close to Lukashenka's regime. Some member states, including Latvia and Italy, believe that such measures would hurt the population rather than the ruling elite.