The European Union applied sanctions this Monday (27) against around 20 judges, prosecutors and members of the Russian Judiciary who played a “fundamental role” in the arrest and subsequent death of opponent Alexei Navalny, as well as in the conviction of Oleg Orlov, winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.
The bloc adopted the measures in a new sanctions regime it approved to specifically punish Russian individuals and entities that violate human rights, in addition to those already in place to punish such actions in other parts of the world.
The sanctions also affected the Russian prison system as a whole, the EU Council explained in a statement.
In particular, they have been banned from entering the EU and their assets in the bloc have been frozen, as well as preventing European individuals and entities from providing them with funds.
EU countries have been discussing the possibility of adopting a specific sanctions regime since February in order to ensure that the framework currently in place to punish human rights violators includes Russian individuals and entities.
Following Navalny’s death in an Arctic prison, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell proposed naming the sanctions regime after the Russian opposition figure, but there was no consensus among the 27 countries. of the EU to do so.
“The shocking death of Alexei Navalny was another sign of the Kremlin regime’s accelerated and systematic repression. He, like other political prisoners and victims, gave hope to democrats and civil society in Russia. We will spare no effort to hold Russia’s political leaders and authorities accountable,” said Borrell.
The EU also approved new sanctions against Voice of Europe for spreading Kremlin propaganda, as well as against Artem Marchevskyi for playing a “key role” in the media outlet’s takeover.
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