Belarus sanctions hundreds of companies with foreign capital in response to similar measures in the midst of war

MADRID, 5 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Belarusian government announced on Tuesday the imposition of sanctions against 190 companies whose foreign investors are subject to restrictions in response to similar measures taken against the country for its alleged involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"In order to protect the interests of Belarus, the shares have been frozen in the deposit accounts as indicated in the list and taking into account the order of the Ministry of Finance," the Council of Ministers has indicated, according to information from the chain of Belarusian television Belsat.

The document, which has already entered into force, indicates that foreign investors in these companies will not be able to sell their businesses or withdraw their assets. The list also includes those companies that are owned by Belarusian citizens but own shares through foreign companies.

The move comes a day after the UK announced the imposition of new sanctions against Belarus for "actively facilitating" the "illegal invasion" of Ukraine, unleashed on February 24 by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The package extends to Belarus some of the significant measures adopted against Russia, including the ban on the import and export of goods worth nearly 60,000 million pounds (around 69,660 million euros)," the British Executive said in a statement. statement published on its website.