After Navalny's death

EU sanctions 33 people and two penal colonies

Following the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the EU has sanctioned 33 Russian individuals and two penal colonies.(Bild: APA/AFP/Jason Redmond)

The European Union has sanctioned 33 Russian individuals and two penal colonies following the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Among those sanctioned are high-ranking judicial officials such as Judge Andrei Suvorov, who sentenced Navalny to 19 years in a special colony last year. The lists also include both penal colonies in which Navalny was imprisoned from June 2022 until his death, the IK-6 colony and the IK-3 high-security colony.

Both colonies are known for exerting physical and psychological pressure, complete isolation, torture and violence on prisoners, the EU Council stated. Navalny had been ill-treated in both institutions, "including through repeated solitary confinement in a punishment cell and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment", which had led to a serious deterioration in his health. The head of IK-3, Vadim Kalinin, and various deputy heads of the colony were also sanctioned.

Entry bans, asset freezes
According to the EU Council, the list also includes high-ranking officials of the Russian penitentiary system and the Ministry of Justice who were either responsible for the execution of the prison sentences of Navalny and other political opponents or who had failed to ensure the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms. Those sanctioned are subject to entry bans to the EU and asset freezes.

"The slow killing of Alexei Navalny by the Kremlin regime is a stark reminder of its complete disregard for human life," said EU Foreign Policy Envoy Josep Borrell. "Today's sanctions show our determination to hold Russia's political leadership and authorities accountable for the ongoing human rights violations in Russia. At the same time, we know that Putin is not Russia and that Russia is not Putin. We will continue to support Russian civil society and independent voices in Russia."