EU Creates New Russia-Related Sanctions Regime
The Council of the European Union established a new sanctions framework to target entities and people responsible for undermining democracy and committing "serious human rights violations" in Russia, it said May 27. Along with the announcement, the EU sanctioned the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation, which manages Russia's prison system, along with 19 judges, prosecutors and other judiciary members.
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Along with an asset freeze, the sanctions will impose trade restrictions on "exporting equipment," including goods that can be "used for internal repression" and technology meant primarily for use in "information security and the monitoring or interception of telecommunication."
The council said the sanctions will also allow the EU to target "those who provide financial, technical, or material support for, or are otherwise involved in or associated with[,] people and entities committing human rights violations in Russia." The council added that the new regime is partly in response to the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison earlier this year.