Switzerland imposes further sanctions against Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at an event in the capital Minsk on July 3.
Belta
Switzerland has widened its sanctions against Belarus, joining other countries in acting after Belarusian authorities triggered outrage by intercepting a passenger flight in May and arresting a dissident blogger on board.
The Swiss government has added 78 individuals and seven organisations to its sanctions list for Belarus, said the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The new measures will take effect on Wednesday at 6pm, Swiss time.
Individuals involved include members of President Alexander Lukashenko’s family, including one of his sons and daughters-in-law, as well as ministers, parliamentarians, judges, prosecutors, air traffic control officials and businessmen.
Switzerland is thus following the European Union, which last month imposed wide-ranging economic sanctions on Belarus, targeting its main export industries and access to finance.
Harsh repression
The regime of Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, is accused of hijacking a European airliner in May to arrest Roman Protasevich, an opposition activist. Several airlines followed the EU’s recommendation to bypass Belarus and suspended their flights. European airspace has also been closed to Belarusian aircraft.
More
More
Minsk ‘hijacking’: Swiss call for release of Belarusian journalist
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has joined the EU and US in calling for the release of Roman Protasevich, who was forced off a Ryanair flight.
After the hijacking Switzerland demanded Protasevich’s immediate release. The foreign ministry also demanded a thorough investigation of the incident.
The regime is already targeted by many Western sanctions for having harshly repressed the protests that mobilised hundreds of thousands of Belarusians after the August 2020 presidential elections, deemed “rigged” by the Europeans.
Switzerland first imposed sanctions against Belarus in 2006.
More
More
Switzerland joins EU in sanctions against top Belarus officials
This content was published on
The Swiss government has imposed financial and travels sanctions against 40 former and current officials in Belarus following elections.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30
This content was published on
Compulsory service for all, a tax on million-dollar inheritances, more indirect subsidies for media publishers: the electorate can vote on these three national issues on November 30.
Dollar falls to lowest level against franc in 14 years
This content was published on
The weakness of the dollar in recent weeks continues. The greenback hit new lows for the year against both the franc and the euro on Tuesday.
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the EU treaties and geopolitical challenges. US tariffs were also part of the bilateral talks.
This content was published on
Swiss moors and floodplains are in a poor state. Researchers say further efforts are needed to preserve these biotopes in the long term.
Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen
This content was published on
The St. Gallen government has issued a temporary ban on flying drones around the football stadium in St. Gallen. The measure will apply on three match days of Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday.
EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work
This content was published on
Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.
UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories has accused Zug-based Glencore of profiting from an Israeli economy that has become "an economy of genocide".
Swiss parliamentary commission to investigate F-35 purchase
This content was published on
The Swiss government and the other responsible authorities must once again answer critical questions about the procurement of the F-35 fighter jets.
Objections and appeals most common obstacles to residential construction projects
This content was published on
Objections and appeals are most frequently responsible for delays in new residential construction projects in Switzerland.
Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026
This content was published on
Electricity prices in 2026 are likely to be lower than this year, according to a survey. The main reason is the fall in prices on the electricity market.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Renewed calls for release of Swiss citizen in Belarus
This content was published on
A rights group has called on Belarus to release a Swiss-Belarus dual national convicted for taking part in anti-government protests.
Foreign ministry unaware of Swiss source of Belarus bomb threat
This content was published on
Swiss authorities have reiterated their condemnation of the grounding of a Ryanair plane in Minsk on Sunday and the arrest of two passengers onboard.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.