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Human rights violations in Russia: EU lists further 28 individuals

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU
Press release
20 May 2025 13:35

The Council today imposed restrictive measures on 28 individuals responsiblefor serious violations of human rights, the repression of democratic opposition, and activities seriously undermining the rule of law in Russia.

The new listings target members of the Russian judiciary: judges, prosecutors, representative of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and regional courts, as well as members of the Investigative Committee involved in the fabrication of the cases against various activists.

Many of the individuals listed today played a role in the persecution of the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny by representing the state prosecutor's office in several court hearings, sentencing Navalny, upholding the verdict against him and his brother, and running politically motivated trials against Navalny's lawyers and the technical director of the YouTube channel "Navalny LIVE".

Others were involved in the sentencing of the activists Alexei Gorinov, Igor Baryshnikov and Olga Smirnova, and the bloggers Ioann Kurmoyarov and Sergey Drugov, who disseminated information about the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, and anti-war messages. Their trials were characterised by arbitrary and unfair proceedings and used as a tool to intimidate other dissenting Russian citizens.

Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU remains unwavering in its condemnation of human rights violations and repressions in Russia and is deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, especially in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

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

Background

The Council established a new framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia in May 2024, as the EU's response to the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia.

The regime allows the EU to target also those who provide support for, or are involved in human rights violations in Russia, as well as repressions of civil society and democratic opposition, and actions undermining democracy and the rule of law. Furthermore, the regime prohibits export to Russia of equipment, which might be used for internal repression and the monitoring or interception of telecommunication.