1977-05-17

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R1098

Komnov is a senior officer of the Russian penitentiary system. He is Head of Moscow pre-trial detention center SIZO-5 “Vodnik”, where Vladimir Kara-Murza is being held. Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression. In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression. The health condition of Kara-Murza has considerably deteriorated since his detention began in April 2022. Komnov is responsible for the degrading treatment of Kara-Murza as he was sent to a punishment cell in spite of a severe nerve disorder caused by two earlier poisonings. The ill treatment of Kara-Murza in the pre-trial detention center managed by Komnov confirms the pattern of established practice of inhumane treatment of detained opponents of the regime. He was the warden of «Butyrka» pre-trial detention center at a time when unbearable conditions led to the death of anti-corruption activist Sergei Magnitsky. Therefore, Komnov is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including degrading treatment and violations of freedom of opinion and expression.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D1099

2023-06-05

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.