Judgment of the General Court of 3 September 2025 – Usmanov v Council

(Case T-1117/23) (1)

(Common foreign and security policy - Restrictive measures taken in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine - Freezing of funds - List of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources - Maintenance of the applicant’s name on the list - Concept of ‘businessperson involved in economic sectors providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of the Russian Federation’ - Article 2(1)(g) of Decision 2014/145/CFSP - Article 3(1)(g) of Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 - Right to effective judicial protection - Obligation to state reasons - Error of assessment - Proportionality - Right to property - Right to private life - Plea of illegality)

(C/2025/5329)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicant: Alisher Usmanov (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) (represented by: D. Rovetta, M. Campa, M. Moretto, V. Villante, M. Pirovano, A. Bass and T. Marembert, lawyers)

Defendant: Council of the European Union (represented by: D. Laurent and B. Driessen, acting as Agents, and by B. Maingain, lawyer)

Re:

By his action, the applicant seeks the annulment, under Article 263 TFEU, of the following acts in so far as they concern him:

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first, Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1767 of 13 September 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 226, p. 104) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1765 of 13 September 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 226, p. 3);

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secondly, Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/847 of 12 March 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L, 2024/847) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/849 of 12 March 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 2024/849);

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thirdly, Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2456 of 12 September 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L, 2024/2456) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2455 of 12 September 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L, 2024/2455).

Operative part of the judgment

The Court:

1.	Dismisses the action;

2.	Orders Mr Alisher Usmanov to pay the costs.

(1) OJ C, C/2024/768, 22.1.2024.