Brussels, 26 June 2023 (TDI): The Council of the European Union has taken a decisive step in targeting individuals involved in serious human rights violations in Iran, announcing the imposition of a ninth package of restrictive measures on seven additional individuals.
Among the newly listed individuals are key figures responsible for the trials and subsequent executions of protestors Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeid Yaqoubi in May 2023.
🇮🇷 #Iran: #EU 🇪🇺 imposes additional #sanctions 🚫 on 7 individuals responsible for serious #HumanRightsViolations, brutal crackdown on dissent, death and abuses of protesters.
Read more 👇https://t.co/Wgz0i8LMDP
— EU Council Press (@EUCouncilPress) June 26, 2023
The list includes the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Isfahan Province and the Deputy Judge of the Provincial Criminal Court of Isfahan Province.
Additionally, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces in Isfahan province, who oversaw the actions of the IRGC and other security forces during anti-government protests, has also been targeted by the sanctions.
The Governor and head of Rezvanshahr Security Council in Gilan province, who ordered officers to open fire on protesters, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, including children, have also been listed.
Likewise, the Police Commander of Rezvanshahr in Gilan province, responsible for executing the orders, is subject to the sanctions.
Furthermore, the Governor of the city of Amol, implicated in the killing of at least two young Iranian protesters, and the commander of the Imam Hossein Guards Corps of Karaj, involved in the detention, killing, and rape of individuals by the Karaj security forces, have also been targeted.
With this latest round of measures, the total number of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures now stands at 223 and 37, respectively.
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These measures encompass an asset freeze, a travel ban to the European Union, a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed, and an export ban on equipment that could be utilized for internal repression or telecommunications monitoring.
The European Union and its member states strongly urge the Iranian authorities to halt the violent crackdown on peaceful protests, cease arbitrary detentions as a means of silencing dissenting voices, and release all those who have been unjustly detained.
The EU calls upon Iran to put an end to the practice of imposing and carrying out death sentences against protesters, reverse the existing death penalty sentences, and ensure due process for all detainees.
Additionally, Iran is urged to discontinue the distressing practice of detaining foreign civilians for political purposes.
Today’s listings follow eight previous packages adopted by the Council since October 2022, with the most recent package approved on 22 May 2023.
