Minsk carries out execution amid normalization of relations with European Union

According to the Amnesty International, Belarusian authorities have executed 22-year-old Belarusian Sergei Ivanov after a break since November 2014 (death sentences were handed down but not executed). Official Minsk took a pause in executions, which allowed avoiding additional tension in the process of normalisation with the EU. It is worth noting that in early 2016, the Belarusian authorities demonstrated willingness to engage in a dialogue with European institutions over the introduction of a moratorium or abolishing the death penalty, however with no real intent to change the existing practice. Apparently, the Belarusian authorities are satisfied with the level and the pace of normalisation of the Belarusian-European relations. Minsk is likely to attempt to expand the room for manoeuvre in relations with the European Union before the parliamentary elections in Belarus.

Image: Spring-96