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26.6.2023 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
LI 160/1 |
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/…
of 26 June 2023
implementing Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran (1), and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
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(1) |
On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 359/2011. |
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(2) |
On 25 September 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the Union deploring the widespread and disproportionate use of force by the Iranian security forces against non-violent protestors, noting that it had resulted in the loss of lives as well as a large number of injuries. The declaration also spelled out that those responsible for the killing of Mahsa Amini must be held accountable, and called on the Iranian authorities to ensure transparent and credible investigations to clarify the number of deaths and arrests, to release all non-violent protestors and to provide due process to all detainees. Furthermore, the declaration stressed that Iran’s decision to severely restrict internet access and block instant messaging platforms blatantly violates freedom of expression. Finally, the declaration stated that the Union will consider all the options at its disposal to address the killing of Mahsa Amini and the way Iranian security forces have responded to the ensuing demonstrations. |
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(3) |
In that context, and in line with the Union’s commitment to address all issues of concern with Iran, including the human rights situation, as confirmed in the Council conclusions of 12 December 2022, seven persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011. |
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(4) |
Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Luxembourg, 26 June 2023.
For the Council
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES
ANNEX
The following persons are added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011:
Persons
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|
Name |
Identifying information |
Reasons |
Date of listing |
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‘227. |
Seyyed Mohammad MOUSVIAN a.k.a. Seyed Mohammad MOUSAVIYAN سید محمد موسویان |
Function: Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor, Isfahan (Isfahan Province) Nationality: Iranian Gender: Male |
Mousvian is the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Isfahan Province, Iran. As such he is responsible for the trials against the protestors Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi and Saeid Yaqoubi, who have since been sentenced to death and subsequently been executed in May 2023. Mousvian further issued the indictment against Iranian music artist Toomaj Salehi on charges of “corruption on earth” for his participation in anti-government protests and public activism against the Iranian government in October 2022, who has since been held in Dastgerd Prison under cruel conditions while awaiting his trial. In November 2022, state media published a video showing a blindfolded Salehi confessing to his alleged crimes and apologizing for his words. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
228. |
Ali Zare NOURI سید علی زارع نوری |
Function: Deputy Judge of and advisor to the Provincial Criminal Court, Isfahan Nationality: Iranian Gender: Male |
Nouri is the Deputy Judge of and advisor to the Provincial Criminal Court of Isfahan Province, Iran. As such he is responsible for the trials against the protestors Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi and Saeid Yaqoubi, who have since been sentenced to death and subsequently been executed in May 2023. In a video published by Iranian state media, Nouri can be seen questioning the three defendants in court. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
229. |
Seyyed Nader SAFAVI MIRMAHALLEH a.k.a Seyed Nader SAFAVI MIRMAHALLEH a.k.a Nader SAFAVI سید نادر صفوی میرمحله |
Function: Governor and head of Rezvanshahr Security Council in Gilan Province Nationality: Iranian Gender: Male Address: Rezvanshahr, Gilan Province |
Seyyed Nader Safavi Mirmahalleh is the governor and head of Rezvanshahr Security Council in Gilan Province. As such, he is responsible for ordering officers to open fire on protesters during Iran’s 2022–2023 nationwide protests, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, including to children. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
230. |
Seyyed Khalil SAFAVI a.k.a Seyed Khalil SAFAVI سید خلیل صفوی |
Function: Police Commander Rezvanshahr, Gilan Province Nationality: Iranian Gender: Male Address: Rezvanshahr, Gilan Province |
Seyyed Khalil Safavi is the Police Commander of Rezvanshahr in Gilan Province and held this position also at the time of the protest. As such, he is responsible for police officers in Rezvanshahr opening fire on protesters during protests in the city that took place in late September 2022, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, including to children. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
231. |
Seyyed Abbas HOSSEINI سید عباس حسینی |
Function: Governor, Amol (Mazandaran Province) Nationality: Iranian Gender: Male |
In January 2022, Hosseini was appointed as governor of the city of Amol, Mazandaran Province. As such, he is responsible for the killing of at least two young Iranian protesters, Ghazaleh Chalabi and Erfan Rezaei, who were both killed in September 2022 by government forces in the city of Amol. Further, security forces in Amol have continued to harass peaceful protesters and families of the deceased. In June 2023, Hosseini was replaced as Governor of Amol, but was appointed Special Governor of the city of Amol. In his new position, Hosseini still has an active role as government representative. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
232. |
Mojtaba FADA مجتبی فدا |
Function: IRGC Commander in Isfahan Province (Second Brigadier General) and member of the provincial security council Nationality: Iranian Date of birth: 21 March 1963 Place of birth: Harsin, Iran Gender: Male Passport number: F49973222 expires 27 August 2024 (issued by Iran) |
Fada is the commander of IRGC forces in Isfahan province and currently serves as a member of the Provincial Security Council. As such, he oversaw the actions of IRGC troops and other security forces in response to anti-government protests in fall of 2022, which resulted in the death of several protesters, including that of 18-year-old Mahsa Mougouyi. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023 |
|
233. |
Rashid KABOUDVANDI رشید کبودوند a.k.a Rashid KABUDONDI رشید کبودوندی |
Function: Commander of the Imam Hossein Guards Corps of Karaj, Alborz Province Gender: Male |
Kaboudvandi is since May 2022 the commander of the Imam Hossein Guards Corps of Karaj, Alborz Province. As such he is responsible for the detention and killing of Mohammad Reza Ghorbani and the detention and rape of Amrita Abbassi by the Karaj security forces. Blatant and severe human rights violations by police forces have been widely documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started mid-September 2022. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. |
26.6.2023’ |