The United Kingdom decided on Monday to sanction six Belarusian officials and three entities as a response to yesterday's presidential election in Belarus, which it considers illegitimate. The sanctioned individuals include the Belarusian Central Election Commission chairman, three detention center officials and two leaders of the Belarusian state security service GUBOPiK. The designated entities are Belarusian military equipment manufacturers.
The British government accused Belarus of serious human rights violations and a "brutal crackdown" on President Alexander Lukashenko's opposition. "The UK, alongside our partners, will continue to stand by the people of Belarus and expose those who deny them their legitimate right to freedom and democracy," Foreign Secretary David Lammy (pictured) said.