EU sanctions 11 people, 4 entities over Iran’s protest crackdown
Baku, October 18, AZERTAC
The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions against 11 Iranian individuals and four entities for their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the crackdown on the ongoing protests, according to Iran International.
The European Council, the institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union, added on Monday 11 individuals and four entities to the EU list of those subjected to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime, a statement released Monday said. The EU list now comprises a total of 97 individuals and eight Iranian entities.
"The EU and its member states condemn the widespread and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors. This is unjustifiable and unacceptable. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peacefully protest and this right must be ensured in all circumstances," the statement read.
The latest measures consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze, in addition to prohibiting EU citizens and companies from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities.
The sanctions also include a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for the repression of protests and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications and surveillance.
"The EU expects Iran to immediately stop the violent crackdown against peaceful protesters, to free those detained, and to ensure the free flow of information, including internet access. Furthermore, the EU expects Iran to clarify the number of deaths and arrested," the EU said.
The new designations include Iran’s so-called ‘Morality Police’ and two of its key figures, Mohammad Rostami and Haj-Ahmad Mirzaei. In addition, the EU has designated Iran's police, known as the Law Enforcement Forces, as well as several of its local chiefs for their role in the crackdown on the protests.
The EU has also sanctioned the minister of information and communications technology, Issa Zarepour, for shutting down the internet to restrict access to information on the protests and impede communication among protesters.
Announcing “unanimous” decision to take action against those “responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini and violent repression of peaceful protests” in a tweet Monday, the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell stressed that the EU will always act against serious human rights violations.
Borrel also said on Monday that he currently did not expect progress in negotiations over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. "I don't expect any move, that's a pity because we were very, very close," he said.
Iran-European Union relations have soured with claims Tehran has supplied Russia with armed drones used in Ukraine, although the EU is not yet expected to agree new sanctions.
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