European Council sanctions judges who sentenced Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and other dissidents

The EU has officially imposed personal sanctions in connection with Navalny's death. Specifically targeted are the IK-3 and IK-6 penal colonies where he served time, as well as over 30 individuals including judges and prison officials.

The Council statement notes, “Both colonies are known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, full isolation, torture and violence on prisoners. In both places Mr. Navalny suffered abuses, including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, leading to the severe deterioration of his health.”

Among those sanctioned are Vadim Kalinin, the head of IK-3, and various deputy colony heads. Also sanctioned are Moscow City Court Judge Andrey Suvorov , who sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a maximum-security colony for creating an “extremist community”, and Kovrov City Court Judge Kirill Nikiforov , who rejected Navalny's lawsuit against IK-6 over his 12-day solitary confinement stint.

Sanctions are also being imposed on Basmanny District judges Evgeniya Nikolaeva and Natalya Dudar from Moscow. They issued several rulings against Navalny and others such as Liliya Chanysheva, Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ildar Dadin, and more.

Those included in the sanctions regime will have their assets frozen, and it is prohibited to provide funds or economic resources directly or indirectly to them or for their benefit. These listed individuals are also banned from entering the EU.

Commenting on the sanctions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said:

“Alexei Navalny’s slow killing by the Kremlin regime is a stark reminder of its utter disregard for human life. Today’s sanctions demonstrate our determination to hold Russia’s political leadership and authorities to account for the continuing violation of the human rights in Russia. At the same time, we know that Putin is not Russia, and Russia is not Putin. We will continue supporting Russia’s civil society and independent voices.”