The European Council imposed restrictive measures on eight persons and one entity under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime.
They are responsible of committing serious human rights violations and abuses on behalf of the Iranian state bodies outside of Iran, in particular extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and killings, as well as enforced disappearances of persons deemed to be opponents or critical of the actions or policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Today’s listings confirm the EU’s concerns about transnational repression by Iranian state bodies through the use of proxy agents, in particular involving criminals and organised crime networks targeting dissidents and human rights defenders across the world, including on EU territory.
The Council is listing the Zindashti Network, a criminal group connected to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) that has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression, including assassinations of Iranian dissidents and persons critical of the actions or policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Today’s listings also include the Zindashti Network’s boss Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti – an Iranian narcotics trafficker and organised crime boss -, and some of his criminal associates: Abdulvahap Kocak, Ali Esfanjani, Ali Kocak, Ekrem Oztunc, and Nihat Asan, who have been involved -among others- in the assassinations of the Iranian dissident Mas’ud Molavi Vardanjani and Iranian Gem TV owner, Saeed Karimian.
The Council is also targeting Mohammed Ansari, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Unit 840 who ordered the assassination of journalists critical of the Islamic Republic, and Reza Hamidiravari, an intelligence officer working for the MOIS, that oversees Naji Zindashti’s MOIS-directed operations.
Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.
The European Union expresses its support for the fundamental aspiration of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, protected and fulfilled. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy approach considering all options at its disposal: critical where necessary, and ready to engage, on the basis of mutual respect, where interests align.
