Belarus: Quote Ska Keller

Heads of state and government at their summit meeting today (Monday, May 24) decided on targeted sanctions following the forced landing of a passenger plane and arrest of regime critic Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega by Belarusian security authorities. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has requested a debate and resolution for the June plenary session. Ska Keller, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

"The forced landing of the passenger plane is an act of state terrorism. Targeted sanctions are a good first step, but the European Union must remain firm. Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega and all other political prisoners must be released immediately. We Greens/EFA call for an international investigation, the suspension of all flights of EU airlines through Belarusian airspace, and for the Belarusian government to stop the harassment of independent media. We condemn the fact that Belarus still has the inhumane death penalty and urge for it to be abolished immediately. We stand with those who stand up for democracy in Belarus."