31/08/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Saturday 29 August, Peter Stano, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, condemned the “arbitrary” restrictions imposed on independent and foreign media in Belarus as unacceptable. Earlier in the day, based on a recommendation from the Interministerial Commission for Countering Extremism and Combating Terrorism, the Belarusian authorities had withdrawn accreditation from 19 journalists from foreign organisation journalists, the day before another major demonstration. A Swedish photojournalist had previously been expelled from the country and several dozen journalists arrested. “Instead of intimidating and hindering the media, the authorities should focus on addressing the desires of the people”, Stano tweeted. Several European diplomats have also condemned the measures taken against journalists. (CG)