Canada Joins U.S., U.K., EU in Imposing Sanctions on Belarus After Journalist Arrest

Belarusian dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich attends a news conference at the National Press Center of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk, Belarus on June 14, 2021. The dissident Belarusian journalist who was arrested when his airliner was diverted to Minsk was brought to a Foreign Ministry news conference on Monday, prompting a foreign journalist to walk out in protest. The opposition said the Monday appearance by Raman Pratasevich showed he is a hostage. Ramil Nasibulin/BelTA pool photo via AP

OTTAWA—Canada has announced new sanctions against Belarusian officials and entities in response to the politically motivated arrests of journalist Raman Pratasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega.

In a joint statement with the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, Ottawa says the sanctions are a response to the forced landing of a commercial flight between two EU countries on May 23 and the arrests of the pair.