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US Considers Belarus Sanctions

VOA News

   U.S.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday the United States is
   deeply concerned about attempts by the government of Belarus to
   forcibly expelopposition activistMaria Kolesnikova. The topU.S.
   diplomat saidthe UnitedStatesand other countries are considering
   bringing sanctions in response to recent events in Belarus.

   "We commend the courage of Ms. Kalesnikava and of the Belarusian people
   in peacefully asserting their right to pick their leaders in free and
   fair elections in the face of unjustified violence and repression by
   the Belarusian authorities, which included brazen beatings of peaceful
   marchers in broad daylight and hundreds of detentions(on)September 6,
   as well as increasing reports of abductions," Pompeo said in a
   statement.

   He said the potential sanctions would be aimed at promoting
   "accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and
   repression in Belarus."

   Kolesnikova was detained Monday alongwith two other opposition movement
   members, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov, and on Tuesday they were
   driven to the border between Belarus and Ukraine where Kolesnikova tore
   up her passport and was held on the Belarusian side.

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