Headlines
EU imposes sanctions on 8 individuals involved in human rights violation in Russia
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 23, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Summary
The EU sanctioned eight Russian individuals for human rights violations, targeting members of the judiciary and heads of penal facilities. Measures include asset freezes and travel/transit bans. (consilium.europa.eu)
EU Sanctions Eight Over Human Rights Abuses and Rule-of-Law Erosion in Russia
BRUSSELS, Feb 23 (Reuters) - The European Union has imposed sanctions on eight individuals suspected to be responsible for serious human rights violations and undermining the rule of law in Russia, the Council said on Monday in a statement.
Why the EU Acted
EU Sanctions: Details and Compliance Implications
The individuals are members of the judiciary responsible for sentencing prominent Russian activists on what the EU describes as politically motivated charges and heads of penal colonies where political prisoners were held in inhuman and degrading conditions, the statement said.
Who Is Targeted
The sanctioned people include Aleksei Vasilyevich Valizer, head of a penal colony, and Anton Vladimirovisch Rychar, head of a pre-trial detention center.
Prohibition on Making Funds Available
Asset Freezes and Travel Bans
Measures Enforced
As part of the sanctions, they have been banned from travelling or transiting through the EU, their assets were frozen and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them, it added.
(Reporting by Lili Bayer and Inti Landauro, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)
Key Takeaways
- •The EU listed eight individuals for serious human rights violations and undermining the rule of law in Russia. (consilium.europa.eu)
- •Targets include two judges, a prosecutor and an investigator tied to politically motivated trials of activists. (consilium.europa.eu)
- •Sanctions also hit heads of penal colonies and a pre-detention centre accused of inhuman, degrading conditions. (consilium.europa.eu)
- •Measures comprise EU travel/transit bans, asset freezes, and a ban on EU persons making funds available to the listed. (consilium.europa.eu)
- •The legal acts were published in the EU Official Journal under Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/432 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/431.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU imposes sanctions on 8 individuals involved in human rights violation in Russia
1What is the main topic?
The European Union imposed sanctions on eight Russian individuals for serious human rights violations and undermining the rule of law, including members of the judiciary and penal system. (consilium.europa.eu)
2What penalties were imposed?
Those listed face asset freezes, travel and transit bans within the EU, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. (consilium.europa.eu)
3Who was targeted by the sanctions?
Two judges, a prosecutor, an investigator involved in politically motivated trials, and heads of penal colonies and a pre-detention centre implicated in degrading treatment. (consilium.europa.eu)
