1987-05-07

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202400952

Yuri Konoveev is the head of the SUS detachment and PKT punishment cells (also known as the head of the department of educational work) in the IK-3 penal colony, where he has been working since at least 2019. Alexei Navalny was placed under his authority from 25 December 2023 until his death on 16 February 2024. In that position, Konoveev oversaw wards responsible for Alexei Navalny’s ill-treatment and directly interacted with him at least once a month. Given his responsibility for punishment cells, he ensured that a regime of maximum possible physical isolation was inflicted on Navalny. In his role of overseeing the (re-)education of detainees, he was responsible for supporting a system built on breaking the detainees’ will, creating a feeling of complete hopelessness and inhuman living conditions. Witnesses testified that human rights violations had occurred in the context of detainees’ educational work and that torture was directly prescribed in the operational documents of the departments. Yuri Konoveev was also in charge of the investigative tests and the exercise yards where Alexei Navalny allegedly became ill. The IK-3 penal colony is known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, full isolation, torture and violence on prisoners. Konoveev is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the systematic violation of freedom of opinion and expression.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202400952

2024-03-22

EU

Restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses

EU-horizontal

Human Rights

Asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available, Restrictions on admission

- All assets of the listed persons and entities should be frozen. It is also prohibited to make any funds or assets directly or indirectly available to them. - Member States shall enforce travel restrictions on persons listed in the Annex of Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999

On 9 December 2019, the Council welcomed the launch by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of preparatory work to establish a horizontal EU sanctions regime against serious human rights violations and abuses. On 17 November 2020, the Council approved conclusions on the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, which set out the EU’s level of ambition and priorities in this field in its relations with all third countries. On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The regime enables the EU to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. It applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses. Other human rights violations or abuses can also fall under the scope of this sanctions regime, if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern as regards the objectives of the EU common foreign and security policy. The restrictive measures consist of travel bans applying to individuals, and freezing of funds applying to both individuals and entities. In addition, EU persons and entities will be prohibited from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. Derogations to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid.