EU imposes sanctions against the head of Russian military intelligence due to use of chemical weapons
On January 21st, the EU Council’s press service reported that the EU imposed sanctions against four Russians, five Syrians and one Syrian company as part of the new sanctions package for the use of chemical weapons.
The restrictive measures concern two officials of the GRU (The Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces), as well as the head and deputy head of the GRU responsible for the storage, transportation, and use in Salisbury (United Kingdom) of a poisonous nerve agent on March 4, 2018.
Sanctions were also imposed on the Syrian company responsible for the development and production of the chemical weapon- the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), as well as against five Syrian officials from the SSRC.
Restrictive measures include a travel ban in the EU and an asset freeze for individuals and legal entities. This decision contributes to the EU’s efforts to combat the spread and use of chemical weapons that pose a severe threat to international security.