Credit: europa.ba /  Josep Borrell,  High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC TIMES

Joseph  Borrell, the European Union’s  foreign policy chief, said the EU strongly condemns the “unabating arbitrary and unexplained arrests and detentions on political grounds” in Belarus following the disputed presidential elections. On Monday, Maria Kolesnikova, a key opposition leader in Belarus, was reportedly snatched off a street in capital city Minsk in broad daylight on Monday by masked men, according  to media reports. The apparent abduction came after authorities acknowledged arresting more than 600 people at protests across the country over the weekend that attracted tens of thousands of people to pressure President  Lukashenka to resign following what opposition  says was a rigged election last month.

“Most recently, Maria Kalesnikova, Andrei Yahorau, Irina Sukhiy, Anton Radniankou, and Ivan Krautsou have all been targeted, while 633 people were detained following Sunday’s peaceful Unity March. 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 expects the Belarusian authorities to ensure the immediate release of all detained on political grounds before and after the falsified 9 August presidential elections.”

-Joseph  Borrell,  European Union  foreign policy chief

Maria Kalesnikava is a key  political opposition leader  in Belarus was reportedly abducted on a street in capital city Minsk Monday  Sept. 7, 2020 /  Сильные Новости: GomelTube

Borrell  said the EU  expects the authorities to stoJp political persecution and engage in an inclusive national dialogue, in full respect of the Belarusian people’s democratic and fundamental rights.  “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.”   Borrell also said civil society and actors engaged in discussions on the future of Belarus, including members of the Coordination Council, must be protected from intimidation, forced exile, arbitrary arrest and violence.

The EU will impose sanctions on individuals responsible for violence, repression and falsification of election results  – Borrell