Russia
Russian hybrid threats: EU agrees first listings in response to destabilising activities against the EU, its member states and partners
The Council adopted restrictions against 16 individuals and three entities for destabilising actions abroad by Russia. The framework of these sanctions was adopted on 8 October 2024 to sanction those persons who are engaged in actions and policies of Russia that are contrary to the fundamental values of the European Union, and the security, stability and independence and integrity of its Member States and of other international organisations and third states through hybrid activities, including coordinated manipulation and interference of information. The following persons and entities have been listed:
- GRU Unit 26155, a covert unit of the Russian Intelligence Agency (GRU); and some of its military personnel in Ukraine, Africa and Western Europe.
- The Pan-African Group for Trade and Investment (Groupe Panafricain pour le Commerce et l’Investissement), and its founder, Harouna Douamba.
- African Initiative, a news channel, and its editor-in-chief, Artem Kureev, commander of the Wagner Group in Africa, a senior GRU officer and an officer of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
- Sofia Zakharova, head of the department of the Presidential Office of the Russian Federation for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies and Communications Infrastructure, and Nikolai Tupikin, founder and head of GK Struktura, both involved with the “Doppelganger” campaign.
- Vladimir Sergiyenko, former assistant to Eugen Schmidt, member of the German Bundestag.
- Russian entrepreneur Visa Mizaev and his partners and wife.
- Alesya Miloradovich, a Russian government employee, and Anatolii Prizenko, a Moldovan businessman.
Assets in the European Union of designated persons will be frozen, European citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing them with funds; and designated natural persons will not be allowed to enter or transit through the territory of the Union.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive measures
The Council today adopted the fifteenth package of sanctions against Russia. The package includes 84 designations, 54 individuals and 30 entities, including:
- Personnel of the military unit that attacked the Okhmadyt hospital in Kiev.
- Managers and senior executives in major companies in the energy sector.
- Individuals involved in deportation of minors, propaganda and circumvention of sanctions.
- Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of North Korea.
- Companies in the defence sector and in the oil and maritime transport sector, a chemical plant, and a civilian airline.
- Several Chinese suppliers of microelectronic parts and components for drones, which have been sanctioned for the first time with embargoes, bans on entry and transit, and on being provided with funds.
Fifty-two vessels from third states have also been added to the list of vessels banned from accessing European ports and from providing certain naval transport services, as they are considered to be covert suppliers of Russian oil, transporters of military equipment or of plundered Ukrainian grain.
In addition, 32 entities have been added to the list of special restrictions on trade in dual-use goods and technology, including Chinese, Indian, Iranian, Serbian and Emirati companies.
Moreover, the recognition of decisions issued in consideration of Art. 248 of the Russian Arbitration Procedure Code, which have prevented the opposing party from pursuing cases in jurisdictions other than Russia, and which have resulted in disproportionate sentences for European companies, has been suspended.
Further, seizures of balances held in central securities depositories in the EU have been repealed. Depositories will be able to request authorisations from the competent national authorities to release the money to meet their obligations to clients.
Finally, deadlines have been extended for certain derogations necessary for divestments in Russia. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis by national authorities according to the need for an orderly divestiture.
Belarus
EU lists 26 individuals and 2 entities in view of the situation in the country
The Council has decided to impose restrictive measures on several members of the judiciary, staff of correctional institutions and businessmen for supporting the Lukashenko regime. The sanctioned individuals and entities are as follows:
- Thursdays who have issued politically motivated sentences, including against political dissidents.
- Directors and deputy directors of several correctional institutions and the head of the medical department of one of them, due to the treatment of political prisoners.
- Owners, partners and directors of companies benefiting from Lukashenko’s regime and circumvention of EU restrictions.
- Vlate Ligistik, Ltd., a transport and storage company, and some of its shareholders.
- Ruzekspeditsiya, Ltd., a distributor of EU-restricted cars, and its owner.
Assets in the European Union of the designated persons will be frozen, European citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing them with funds; and the designated natural persons will not be allowed to enter or transit through the territory of the Union.
Haiti
EU sanctions three individuals in relation to the escalating gang violence in the country
The Council adopted sanctions against three Haitians for sponsoring human rights abuses by criminal gangs and the continued impunity of those responsible. The individuals sanctioned are the following:
- Jonel Catel, leader of the “Terre Noir” gang, affiliated with the G9 coalition.
- Gabriel Jean-Pierre, head of the “GPep” gang coalition.
- Ferdens Tilus, leader of “Kokorat San Ras” gang.
Assets in the European Union of designated persons will be frozen, European citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing them with funds; and they will not be allowed to enter or transit through the territory of the Union.
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