(CNN) President Joe Biden issued a sweeping executive order Monday to target those in the Belarusian regime involved in the repression of human rights and democracy in the former Soviet state. The executive order was released on the one-year anniversary of Belarus' election, which was declared fraudulent by the United States and much of the international community and sparked widespread protests throughout the country. "Rather than respect the clear will of the Belarusian people, the Lukashenka regime perpetrated election fraud, followed by a brutal campaign of repression to stifle dissent." "The United States will continue to stand up for human rights and free expression, while holding the Lukashenka accountable, in concert with our allies and partners. "As I told the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, we stand with the people of Belarus as they bravely pursue their democratic aspirations," the President said.

Source: CNN August 09, 2021 15:34 UTC