Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

EU is likely to lift travel ban on Lukashenka

By Tanya Korovenkova, BelaPAN

The European Union is likely to lift its travel ban on Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Reuters reported on Thursday with reference to diplomatic sources.

According to the report, the 28-nation bloc considers suspending visa bans and asset freezes on most of some 200 Belarusians targeted by the sanctions over rights abuses and flawed elections.

Four people implicated in the high-profile disappearances of Mr. Lukashenka's political opponents are expected to remain under sanctions, said Reuters.

An unnamed official said that the EU wanted to respond to the August 22 release of six opposition figures from Belarusian prisons.

In one possible scenario, the EU could formally extend the sanctions, which expire on October 31, but suspend their application for one year. A decision could come as early as next week, said the report.