Brussels, 3 March 2023 (dpa/MIA) - EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said Ales Bialiatski and other Belarusian activists were sentenced to time in prison "on fake and politically motivated charges," in a statement published on Friday.

"The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms their sham trials that are yet another appalling example of the Lukashenko regime trying to silence those who stand up in defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people in Belarus," he said.

Belarusian President Alexander "Lukashenko will not succeed. Their call for freedom is loud, even behind bars," Borrell added.

The EU is calling for the release of more than 1,450 political prisoners and "stands ready to react to repression and human rights abuses," the statement said.

"The EU will continue to support all those who bravely strive for a sovereign, free, democratic, safe and prosperous Belarus," Borrell said.