Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/418 of 29 January 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 of 7 December 2020 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses⁽¹⁾, and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 7 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999.
On 8 December 2020, in the Declaration by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on behalf of the European Union, regarding the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, the Union and its Member States reaffirmed their strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the Union’s determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Achieving the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights is a fundamental value of the Union and its common foreign and security policy.
The Union is concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has amplified internal repression in Russia, drastically limiting the freedom of opinion and expression and media freedom and introducing war censorship.
The Union continues to strongly condemn the severe expansion of restrictive legislation and systematic repression against civil society and human rights defenders, as well as the unabated crackdown on independent media, individual journalists, political opposition members and other critical voices.
The Union strongly condemns the politically motivated ruling by a Moscow court to sentence the opposition politician, democracy activist and outspoken Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison.
The Union calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for politically motivated charges.
In this context, four persons and one entity should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999.
Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 29 January 2024.

For the Council

The President

H. Lahbib

ANNEX

The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 is amended as follows:

the following entries are added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies under heading ‘A. Natural persons’:

Names (Transliteration into Latin script)

Names

Identifying information

Reasons for listing

Date of listing

‘69.

Ekaterina Mikhailovna MIZULINA

Екатерина Михайловна МИЗУЛИНА

(Russian spelling)

Position(s): Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League; Member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation

DOB: 1.9.1984

POB: Yaroslavl, Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation)

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Associated individuals: Elena Borisovna Mizulina; Konstantin Valerevich Malofeev

Ekaterina Mizulina is a Russian public figure and the Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League. In this position, she is enforcing censorship practices against Internet content creators and artists in favour of the Russian government and its policies.

As the Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League, Ekaterina Mizulina is initiating official complaints to the Russian law enforcement agencies against Internet content creators, i.e. bloggers, as well as musicians, celebrities and influencers. As a result, Ekaterina Mizulina is forcing Russian Internet content creators and artists either to delete anti-government content or to create content in favour of the Russian government and its policies.

Therefore, Ekaterina Mizulina is responsible for serious and systematic abuses of freedom of opinion and expression, which are also of serious concern with regards to the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union.

29.1.2024

70.

Valentina Evgenievna LEVASHOVA

a.k.a.

Valentina Evgen’yevna LEVASHOVA

Валентина Евгеньевна ЛЕВАШОВА

a.k.a.

Валентина Євгенiївна ЛЄВАШОВА

(Russian spelling)

Position(s): Judge, Basmanniy District Court, Moscow

DOB: 14.10.1978

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Address: Preobrazhenskiy Val St., 24 building 1, Flat 69, Moscow, Russia, 107061

Valentina Levashova is a judge at the Basmanniy District Court of Moscow.

In this capacity she is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition.

She is a representative of the judiciary who made biased decisions in politically motivated cases against persons who opposed the military invasion of Ukraine, or decisions that justified military and other actions of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, including in the case against Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression.

In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression.

Therefore, she is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.

29.1.2024

71.

Oleg Viktorovich ALYPOV

Олег Викторович АЛЫПОВ

Олег Вiкторович АЛИПОВ

(Russian spelling)

Position(s): Golovinsky Interdistrict Prosecutor of Moscow

DOB: 7.3.1981

Nationality: Russian

Gender: male

Oleg Alypov is the Golovinsky Interdistrict Prosecutor of Moscow.

In his capacity as a Prosecutor, he is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition, including in the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression.

In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression.

Therefore, he is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.

29.1.2024

72.

Ludmila Mikhailovna SMOLKINA

Людмила Михайловна СМОЛКИНA

Людмила Михайлiвна СМОЛКIНА

(Russian spelling)

Position(s): Judge, Moscow City Court

DOB: 6.8.1961

Nationality: Russian

Gender: female

Address: 45 Angarskaya St., building 1, 51, Moscow, Russia, 125412

Ludmila Smolkina is a Judge at the Moscow City Court.

In this capacity, she is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition, including in the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

The Russian authorities have used criminal charges to arrest, prosecute and convict human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents voicing their criticism of the invasion of Ukraine.

Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression.

In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations.

The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression.

Therefore, she is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.

29.1.2024 ’

	Names (Transliteration into Latin script)	Names	Identifying information	Reasons for listing	Date of listing
‘69.	Ekaterina Mikhailovna MIZULINA	Екатерина Михайловна МИЗУЛИНА (Russian spelling)	Position(s): Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League; Member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation DOB: 1.9.1984 POB: Yaroslavl, Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: female Associated individuals: Elena Borisovna Mizulina; Konstantin Valerevich Malofeev	Ekaterina Mizulina is a Russian public figure and the Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League. In this position, she is enforcing censorship practices against Internet content creators and artists in favour of the Russian government and its policies. As the Chairwoman of the Safe Internet League, Ekaterina Mizulina is initiating official complaints to the Russian law enforcement agencies against Internet content creators, i.e. bloggers, as well as musicians, celebrities and influencers. As a result, Ekaterina Mizulina is forcing Russian Internet content creators and artists either to delete anti-government content or to create content in favour of the Russian government and its policies. Therefore, Ekaterina Mizulina is responsible for serious and systematic abuses of freedom of opinion and expression, which are also of serious concern with regards to the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union.	29.1.2024
70.	Valentina Evgenievna LEVASHOVA a.k.a. Valentina Evgen’yevna LEVASHOVA	Валентина Евгеньевна ЛЕВАШОВА a.k.a. Валентина Євгенiївна ЛЄВАШОВА (Russian spelling)	Position(s): Judge, Basmanniy District Court, Moscow DOB: 14.10.1978 Nationality: Russian Gender: female Address: Preobrazhenskiy Val St., 24 building 1, Flat 69, Moscow, Russia, 107061	Valentina Levashova is a judge at the Basmanniy District Court of Moscow. In this capacity she is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition. She is a representative of the judiciary who made biased decisions in politically motivated cases against persons who opposed the military invasion of Ukraine, or decisions that justified military and other actions of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, including in the case against Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression. In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression. Therefore, she is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.	29.1.2024
71.	Oleg Viktorovich ALYPOV	Олег Викторович АЛЫПОВ Олег Вiкторович АЛИПОВ (Russian spelling)	Position(s): Golovinsky Interdistrict Prosecutor of Moscow DOB: 7.3.1981 Nationality: Russian Gender: male	Oleg Alypov is the Golovinsky Interdistrict Prosecutor of Moscow. In his capacity as a Prosecutor, he is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition, including in the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression. In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression. Therefore, he is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.	29.1.2024
72.	Ludmila Mikhailovna SMOLKINA	Людмила Михайловна СМОЛКИНA Людмила Михайлiвна СМОЛКIНА (Russian spelling)	Position(s): Judge, Moscow City Court DOB: 6.8.1961 Nationality: Russian Gender: female Address: 45 Angarskaya St., building 1, 51, Moscow, Russia, 125412	Ludmila Smolkina is a Judge at the Moscow City Court. In this capacity, she is involved in serious and systematic violations of human rights against the leaders of the Russian opposition, including in the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza. The Russian authorities have used criminal charges to arrest, prosecute and convict human rights defenders, journalists and political opponents voicing their criticism of the invasion of Ukraine. Kara-Murza is a prominent opposition activist in Russia. Politically motivated court proceedings based on false allegations started against him in 2022 after he accused the Kremlin of committing war crimes in Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian aggression. In April 2023, he was sentenced to 25 years in a high-security prison/labour camp. The court proceedings against him targeted his activism and served as a show trial in Russia to suppress voices critical of the ruling regime in voicing opposition to the war of aggression against Ukraine. The Russian regime is using the judiciary of the country as a widespread tool in numerous serious human rights violations. The justice system is not independent and is used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime, by violating their freedom of opinion and expression. Therefore, she is responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.	29.1.2024 ’

the following entry is added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies under heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’:

	Names (Transliteration into Latin script)	Names	Identifying information	Reasons for listing	Date of listing
‘21.	Safe Internet League	Лига безопасного интернета (Russian spelling)	Address: Usovo, flat 100, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 143084 Telephone: +7 8 800 700-56-76 Email: info@ligainternet.ru Website: https://ligainternet.ru Associated individuals: Ekaterina Mikhailovna Mizulina; Konstantin Valerevich Malofeev	Safe Internet League is a Russian para-governmental organisation co-founded by the owner of the Tsargrad TV channel Konstantin Malofeev, with support from the Russian government. Safe Internet League allows the Russian government to reinforce censorship practices by silencing Internet content creators and artists, who make content not consistent with the official line of the Russian government. Safe Internet League makes official complaints to the Russian law enforcement agencies against Russian Internet content creators, i.e. bloggers, as well as musicians, celebrities and influencers. Using the threat of imposing punitive or economic measures, Safe Internet League is trying to make Internet content creators and artists either to delete anti-government content or to create content in favour of the Russian government and praising its policies. Therefore, Safe Internet League is responsible for serious and systematic abuses of freedom of opinion and expression, which are also of serious concern with regards to the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union.	29.1.2024 ’

Names (Transliteration into Latin script)

Names

Identifying information

Reasons for listing

Date of listing

‘21.

Safe Internet League

Лига безопасного интернета

(Russian spelling)

Address: Usovo, flat 100, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 143084

Telephone: +7 8 800 700-56-76

Email: info@ligainternet.ru

Website: https://ligainternet.ru

Associated individuals: Ekaterina Mikhailovna Mizulina; Konstantin Valerevich Malofeev

Safe Internet League is a Russian para-governmental organisation co-founded by the owner of the Tsargrad TV channel Konstantin Malofeev, with support from the Russian government.

Safe Internet League allows the Russian government to reinforce censorship practices by silencing Internet content creators and artists, who make content not consistent with the official line of the Russian government.

Safe Internet League makes official complaints to the Russian law enforcement agencies against Russian Internet content creators, i.e. bloggers, as well as musicians, celebrities and influencers. Using the threat of imposing punitive or economic measures, Safe Internet League is trying to make Internet content creators and artists either to delete anti-government content or to create content in favour of the Russian government and praising its policies.

Therefore, Safe Internet League is responsible for serious and systematic abuses of freedom of opinion and expression, which are also of serious concern with regards to the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union.

29.1.2024 ’