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The European Union is punishing the state airline of Belarus and a Syrian
airline for their part in channeling asylum seekers via Belarus to the
European Union. The EU countries have also decided that nine other companies
and organizations and 17 people will be sanctioned.
 
The sanctions must end the practices of President Alexander Lukashenko, who
according to the EU is using asylum seekers to take revenge on the union. He
brought Iraqis and Syrians to his country, among others, and then sent them
across the border with EU countries Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Thousands of
people were stranded in the freezing cold.
 
In addition to state airline Belavia and the Syrian Cham Wings, the EU is also
punishing Belarusian border officials and judges, among others, for their
cooperation in the "state-led people smuggling" that Brussels blames on
Lukashenko.

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