U.S. Sanctions Target Six More Belarusian Officials

Belarusian Prosecutor-General Pytor Miklashevich (file photo) (Bymedia.net) February 28, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S. government has imposed financial sanctions on six more top Belarusian government officials in response to last year's flawed presidential election and opposition crackdown.

The U.S. Treasury Department said it was targeting the six, including Prosecutor General Pyotr Miklashevich, Education Minister Alyaksandr Radzkou, and Information Minister Uladzimir Rusakevich, for undermining Belarus's democratic processes.

The February 27 action imposes an asset freeze against the officials and prohibits U.S. citizens from doing business with them.

It brings to 16 the number of top Belarusian officials targeted with U.S. sanctions and follows similar action last year by the European Union.