EU targets Russian judicial officials with new sanctions

The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on eight Russian officials linked to the country’s judicial and prison systems, citing human rights violations.

The decision, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, comes amid continued pressure on Moscow over its actions since 2022, Caliber.Az reports. 

The blacklist includes two judges, a prosecutor, an investigator, and four heads of colonies and pre-trial detention centres. Those affected face a travel ban to EU countries and the freezing of any financial assets within the Union.

EU officials stressed that these measures are separate from the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which has not yet been finalised. The move follows the EU’s previous decision to extend broader sanctions against Russia until 24 February 2027.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU has repeatedly rolled out restrictive measures targeting Russia’s economy, including bans on energy imports such as LNG, restrictions on financial transactions, limits on shipping, and technology exports — all aimed at curbing Moscow’s access to international markets and resources.

By Sabina Mammadli