Wednesday, April 8, 2026
ADVT 
National

Trudeau mulling more actions against Belarus

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 May, 2021 09:48 AM
  • Trudeau mulling more actions against Belarus

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is weighing measures beyond existing sanctions against Belarus after its government forced down an airliner and seized a dissident journalist on board.

At a news conference Tuesday, Trudeau is calling the incident "outrageous, illegal and completely unacceptable."

The prime minister says the arrest Sunday of Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich after his Ryanair flight was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter jet in the country's airspace amounts to a "clear attack on democracy and freedom of the press."

Trudeau is calling for Protasevich's immediate release, and says he is considering "further options" regarding the regime.

Canada announced sanctions against 55 Belarusian officials last year after an election that Ottawa said was "marred by widespread irregularities" amid a "systemic campaign of repression" and human rights violations under President Alexander Lukashenko.

Since Sunday, airlines have rerouted flights to avoid the country's airspace and European Union leaders have directed officials to draft unspecified sanctions against Minsk, on top of a potential ban on Belarusian airlines from EU skies.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has deemed the event "state hijacking" and Ireland and France have characterized it as piracy amid mounting international outrage.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2021.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadians to get shots in rinks, amusement park

Canadians to get shots in rinks, amusement park
The theme park bills itself as "the country’s premier amusement park," featuring more than 200 attractions, including a 20-acre water park and 17 roller-coasters.

Canadians to get shots in rinks, amusement park

Maskless ferry passengers must pay $900 in tickets

Maskless ferry passengers must pay $900 in tickets
RCMP arrested them for being intoxicated in a public place but later decided not to lay criminal charges.

Maskless ferry passengers must pay $900 in tickets

B.C. camping reservations open March 8

B.C. camping reservations open March 8
Thousands of sites are available, including access to a new, fully serviced 90-site campground that opens this spring in Manning Park, east of Vancouver.

B.C. camping reservations open March 8

Thief allegedly cuts loss prevention officers while fleeing

Thief allegedly cuts loss prevention officers while fleeing
Loss prevention officers saw him allegedly conceal the masks and attempt to walk out of the store. When they confronted the thief, he reportedly cut each of them on the hand with a sharp weapon, and then fled.

Thief allegedly cuts loss prevention officers while fleeing

Drugs, cash, and, Alfa Romeo Stelvio seized by Surrey Gang Enforcement Team

Drugs, cash, and, Alfa Romeo Stelvio seized by Surrey Gang Enforcement Team
The officers observed a suspicious vehicle and initiated a traffic stop under the motor vehicle act.

Drugs, cash, and, Alfa Romeo Stelvio seized by Surrey Gang Enforcement Team

Singh suggests NDP to back Liberals at budget vote

Singh suggests NDP to back Liberals at budget vote
New Democrats have been hyping their pharmacare legislation in advance of a vote that will either kill Bill C-213 or send it to committee for further scrutiny.

Singh suggests NDP to back Liberals at budget vote