The European Union on Monday announced that two Assad regime ministers have been added to the list of sanctions it imposed on the Assad regime since the outbreak of the Syrian Revolution in early 2011.
A statement issued by the European Commission said that “the EU remains committed to finding a lasting political solution to the conflict in Syria under the existing UN-agreed framework.”
“Today’s decision brings to 257 persons the total number of persons targeted by a travel ban and an assets freeze for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria, benefiting from or supporting the regime, and/or being associated with such persons,” the statement added.
“The Council added the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Information of the government of Syria to the list of those targeted by EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime in view of the gravity of the situation in the country,” the European Council said in a statement.
The bloc also froze the assets of 67 entities for their involvement in repressing the Syrian people and for supporting or benefiting from the Syrian regime.
In addition to the asset freeze and travel ban, the sanctions included severe restrictions on investments and freezing the assets of Syria’s Central Bank funds in Europe as well as ban on the supply of European equipment and technology that can be used in internal repression.
In July 17, 2017, the European Union imposed sanctions on 16 high ranking Assad regime military officials and scientists who are suspected of being involved in the deadly chemical attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rural Idlib in which dozens of civilians were killed.
“The EU added these 16 persons for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against the civilian population,” an EU statement said.
In May 29, 2017, the European Union extended the sanctions it imposed on individuals and entities linked with the Assad regime until June 1, 2018. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department + Agencies)
