EU adopts new sanctions against Belarus after Ryanair flight diversion

EU member states on Wednesday approved the addition of 78 names and 7 entities to the list of Belarusian officials sanctioned for repression of the opposition, 7 of whom are involved in the diversion of a European airliner, several diplomats told AFP.

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The agreement was given by the capitals during a meeting of their ambassadors in Brussels. It will be validated on June 21 during the face-to-face Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg and the sanctions will become effective with the publication of the names in the Official Journal of the EU.