EU sanctions Iranian officials, Morality Police and anti-protest individuals

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Among the people sanctioned by the EU Foreign Ministers are Mohammad Rostami and Hajahmad Mirzaei, two of key figures of Iran’s Morality Police, who are responsible for the death of the 22-year-old woman. The ministers also discussed Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks, writes Yossi Lempkowicz.

The European Union has decided to impose sanction on Iranian authorities over their crackdown against demonstrators protesting the death in a police custody of a 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini. At a meeting in Luxembourg, the 27 EU Foreign Ministers decided to add eleven individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime.

“This is in view of their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran,” an EU statement said. Among the people sanctioned are Mohammad Rostami and Hajahmad Mirzaei, two of key figures of Iran’s Morality Police, who are responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini. In addition, the EU designated the Iranian Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), as well as a number of its local chiefs for their role in the brutal repression of the protests. The EU also listed Issa Zarepour, the Iranian Minister of information and Communications Technology, for his responsibility in the internet shutdown. The sanctions imposed on Monday consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze. In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. The Iran human rights sanctions regime also includes a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications. The list now comprises a total of 97 individuals and 8 entities, the EU said.

“The European Union and its member states condemn the widespread and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protestors. This is unjustifiable and unacceptable. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peacefully protest and this right must be ensured in all circumstances,” the EU said. The statement adds: “The EU expects Iran to immediately stop the violent crackdown against peaceful protesters, to free those detained, and to ensure the free flow of information, including internet access. Furthermore, the EU expects Iran to clarify the number of deaths and arrested, and provide due process to all detainees. The killing of Mahsa Amini must be duly investigated and any proved responsible for her death must be held accountable.”

The EU ministers also discussed Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. Ukraine has reported a spate of Russian attacks with Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks. Additional EU sanctions on Iran will not be limited to blacklisting some individuals should Tehran’s involvement in Russia’s war on Ukraine be proven, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said. “Then it will be no longer about some individuals to be sanctioned,” he told journalists. “What we can see now: Iranian drones are used apparently to attack in the middle of Kyiv, this is an atrocity,” said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.

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