15.07.2025 19:51
The European Union has decided to impose sanctions on 8 individuals and one 'criminal organization' for alleged human rights violations and executions carried out on behalf of the Iranian state. It was also stated that asset freezes, prohibitions on providing financial resources, and travel bans would be applied to the individuals and entities added to the sanctions list.
The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on 8 individuals and a criminal organization accused of executions and human rights violations on behalf of the Iranian state in other countries.
Tensions continue following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. Recently, the United States imposed new sanctions on Iranian companies and organizations, while the European Union also made a new move.
SANCTION MOVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union announced that sanctions were imposed on eight individuals and a criminal organization due to "serious human rights violations" and "cross-border repression."
In a statement published by the EU Council regarding the matter, it was stated, "The Council today imposed restrictive measures on 8 individuals and one entity under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. These individuals are responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses committed outside of Iran on behalf of Iranian state institutions. This includes extrajudicial, arbitrary, and rushed executions, as well as the disappearances of individuals who oppose or criticize Iran's actions and policies."
"ASSASSINATIONS OF IRANIAN OPPONENTS PLANNED"
The statement noted, "The step to include individuals on today's sanctions list confirms the European Union's concerns regarding the cross-border repression carried out by Iranian state institutions through proxy agents. This situation encompasses activities involving criminals and organized crime networks targeting especially opponents and human rights defenders, and these activities are carried out worldwide, including on EU territory."
"ZINDAŞTI NETWORK ADDED TO SANCTIONS LIST"
The statement added, "The Council has also added the Zindaşti Network, a criminal organization affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, to the sanctions list. This group has carried out numerous cross-border repression actions, including assassinations of Iranian opponents, including those who criticize Iran's actions and policies. The sanctions list also includes Naci İbrahim Şerifi Zindaşti, the leader of the Iranian drug trafficker and criminal organization, along with his accomplices Abdulvahap Koçak, Ali Efsancani, Ali Koçak, Ekrem Öztunç, and Nihat Asan. These individuals have been involved in various murders, including the assassinations of Iranian opponent Mesut Mevlevi Vardanjani and Saeed Karimian, the owner of Iran's Gem TV."
TRAVEL BAN WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED
It was announced that the sanctions list also includes Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force 840th Unit leader Mohammad Ensari, who is accused of ordering the assassination of journalists critical of Iran, and Iranian intelligence officer Reza Hamidiravari, who is accused of overseeing the operations of criminal organization leader Naci Zindaşti.
The statement indicated that asset freezes, prohibitions on providing financial resources, and travel bans would be applied against the individuals and entities added to the sanctions list.