The European Union is punishing the state airline of Belarus and a Syrian airline for their part in channeling asylum seekers via Belarus to the European Union. The EU countries have also decided that nine other companies and organizations and 17 people will be sanctioned.

The sanctions must end the practices of President Alexander Lukashenko, who according to the EU is using asylum seekers to take revenge on the union. He brought Iraqis and Syrians to his country, among others, and then sent them across the border with EU countries Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Thousands of people were stranded in the freezing cold.

In addition to state airline Belavia and the Syrian Cham Wings, the EU is also punishing Belarusian border officials and judges, among others, for their cooperation in the "state-led people smuggling" that Brussels blames on Lukashenko.

--- DB4 - Nov 27 2021
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)