06/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson for the European External Action Service denounced the sentencing on Monday 6 September of political prisoners Marya Kaliesnikava, “symbol of the movement for a democratic Belarus”, and lawyer Maksim Znak, to 11 and 10 years in prison respectively. “The EU deplores the continuous blatant disrespect by the Minsk regime of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Belarus”, the spokesperson said in a statement, reiterating the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. The EU will continue its efforts to promote accountability for the brutal repression by the Belarusian authorities, he warned. (CG)