Human rights violations in Russia: EU sanctions additional ten individuals

On 21 November, the Council of the European Union (foreign affairs ministers) imposed restrictive measures on ten individuals responsible for serious violations or abuses of human rights in Russia, including cruel treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the repression of Russian civil society and democratic opposition.

The new listings target high level officials in the main directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation for the Rostov Oblast, including Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 2. 

Under the authority of the listed individuals, the facilities abused detainees, including Ukrainian prisoners of war. The prisoners were regularly subjected to beatings, suffered from severe food shortages, and had little to no access to medical care or legal assistance. During interrogations, they faced both psychological and physical coercion with the aim of forcing them to confess to alleged war crimes, crimes of terrorism, or other offences. 

At least 15 detainees have died as a result of ill-treatment, including Ukrainian investigative journalist Victoria Roshchyna.

Today’s listings also target members of the Russian judiciary who played a key role in the persecution of the activist Alexei Gorinov, a former municipal deputy in the Krasnoselsky district of Moscow, who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment for expressing his opinion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Lastly, some of the newly listed individuals have been involved in politically motivated prosecutions of journalists and activists associated with Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny and his foundation.

The sanctions involve freezing assets, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing those designated with financial resources.

Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

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Press release