21.6.2021 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 219 I/3 COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/997 of 21 June 2021 implementing Article 8a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus (1), and in particular Article 8a(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposals from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 18 May 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 765/2006. (2) On 9 August 2020, Belarus conducted presidential elections, which were found to be inconsistent with international standards and marred by the repression of independent candidates and a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the wake of those elections. On 11 August 2020, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the Union, assessing that the elections were neither free nor fair. It was also stated that measures against those responsible for violence, unjustified arrests and falsification of election results could be taken. (3) Given the escalation of the serious human rights violations in Belarus, and the violent repression of civil society, democratic opposition and journalists as well as of persons belonging to national minorities, additional designations of persons and entities should be adopted. (4) On 24 and 25 May 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, Belarus, on 23 May 2021 endangering aviation safety, and the detention by Belarusian authorities of journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega. It called on the Council to adopt additional listings of persons and entities as soon as possible on the basis of the relevant sanctions framework. (5) 78 persons and 7 entities should therefore be added to the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. (1) OJ L 134, 20.5.2006, p. 1. L 219 I/4 EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 21.6.2021 This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 21 June 2021. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES ANNEX 21.6.2021 Annex 1 to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 is amended as follows: EN (1) the following natural persons are added to table ‘A. Natural persons referred to in Article 2(1)’: Names Names Identifying Information Reasons for listing Date of listing Transcription of Belarusian (Belarusian spelling) spelling (Russian spelling) Transcription of Russian spelling ‘89. Natallia Mikhailauna BUHUK Наталля Мiхайлаўна БУГУК Judge at the Fruzensky district In her position as judge at the Fruzensky district court in Minsk, 21.6.2021 Offi court in Minsk Natallia Buhuk is responsible for numerous politically motivated cial Natalia Mikhailovna BUGUK Наталья Михайловна БУГУК rulings against journalists and protesters, in particular the DOB: 19.12.1989 sentencing of Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreyeva) and Darya Jour Chultsova. Violations of rights of defence and of right to a fair trial nal POB: Minsk, former USSR were reported during trials conducted under her supervision. (now Belarus) of the Gender: female European Nationality: Belarusian She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and Uni for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the on repression of civil society and democratic opposition. 90. Alina Siarhieeuna Алiна Сяргееўна Assistant Prosecutor at the In her position as assistant prosecutor at the Fruzensky District 21.6.2021 KASIANCHYK КАСЬЯНЧЫК Frunzensky District Court in Court in Minsk, Alina Kasianchyk has represented the Lukashenka Minsk regime in politically motivated cases against journalists, activists Alina Sergeevna Алина Сергеевна and protesters. In particular, she has prosecuted journalists KASYANCHYK КАСЬЯНЧИК DOB: 12.03.1998 Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreyeva) and Darya Chultsova for recording peaceful protests, based on the groundless charges of POB: “conspiracy” and “violating public order”. She has also prosecuted Gender: female members of Belarusian civil society e.g. for taking parts in peaceful protests, and paying tribute to murdered protester Aliaksandr Nationality: Belarusian Taraikousky. She has continuously asked the judge for long-term prison sentences. L She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and 219 for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition. I/5 L Names Names Identifying Information Reasons for listing Date of listing 219 Transcription of Belarusian (Belarusian spelling) spelling (Russian spelling) I/6 Transcription of Russian spelling EN 91. Ihar Viktaravich Iгар Вiĸтаравiч КУРЫЛОВIЧ, Senior Investigator of the In his position as Senior Investigator at the Fruzensky District Court 21.6.2021 KURYLOVICH Frunzensky District in Minsk, Ihar Kurylovich was involved in preparing a politically Игорь Викторович Department of the motivated criminal case against journalists Katsiaryna Bakhvalava Igor Viktorovich КУРИЛОВИЧ Investigative Committee (Andreyeva) and Darya Chultsova. The journalists, who recorded KURILOVICH peaceful protests, were accused of violations of public order and DOB: 26.09.1990 sentenced to two years of prison. POB: He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the Gender: male repression of civil society and democratic opposition. Offi Nationality: Belarusian cial Jour 92. Siarhei Viktaravich Сяргей Вiĸтаравiч ШАЦIЛА Judge at Sovetsky District In his position as judge of the Sovetsky District Court in Minsk, 21.6.2021 nal SHATSILA Court in Minsk Siarhei Shatsila is responsible for numerous politically motivated of Сергей Виĸторович ШАТИЛО rulings against protesters, in particular the sentencing of Natallia the Sergei Viktorovich SHATILO DOB: 13.08.1989 Hersche, Dzmitry Halko and Dzmitry Karatkevich, considered as political prisoners by Viasna, a Belarusian human rights European POB: Minsk, former USSR organisation. (now Belarus) He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and Gender: male for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the Uni on Nationality: Belarusian repression of civil society and democratic opposition. 93. Anastasia Vasileuna Анастасiя Васiльеўна Judge at the Leninsky District In her position as judge of the Leninsky District Court in Minsk, 21.6.2021 ACHALAVA АЧАЛАВА Court in Minsk Anastasia Achalava is responsible for numerous politically motivated rulings against journalists, activists and protesters, in Anastasia Vasilievna Анастасия Васильевна DOB: 15.10.1992 particular the sentencing of Coordination Council member ACHALOVA АЧАЛОВА Dzmitry Kruk, as well as against medical personnel and senior POB: Minsk, Belarus citizens. Reliance on statements of anonymous witnesses was Gender: female reported during trials conducted under her supervision. Nationality: Belarusian 21.6.2021 She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition. 21.6.2021 Names Names Identifying Information Reasons for listing Date of listing Transcription of Belarusian (Belarusian spelling) spelling (Russian spelling) Transcription of Russian spelling 94. Mariya Viachaslavauna Марыя Вячаславаўна Judge at the Frunzensky In her position as judge of the Frunzensky District Court in Minsk, 21.6.2021 YAROKHINA ЯРОХIНА District Court in Minsk Mariya Yerokhina is responsible for numerous politically motivated EN rulings against journalists, opposition leaders, trade union activists, Maria Viacheslavovna Мария Вячеславовна DOB: 04.07.1987 sportsmen and protesters, in particular the sentencing of journalist YEROKHINA ЕРОХИНА Uladzimir Hrydzin. POB: Minsk, former USSR (now Belarus) She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the Gender: female repression of civil society and democratic opposition. Nationality: Belarusian 95. Yuliya Aliaksandrauna Юлiя Аляĸсандраўна Deputy Chairwoman/judge at In her position as Deputy Chairwoman and judge at the Frunzensky 21.6.2021 BLIZNIUK БЛIЗНЮК the Frunzensky District Court District Court in Minsk, Yuliya Blizniuk is responsible for numerous Offi in Minsk politically motivated rulings against journalists, activists and cial Yuliya Aleksandrovna Юлия Алеĸсандровна protesters, in particular sentencing activists Artsiom Jour BLIZNIUK БЛИЗНЮК DOB: 23.09.1971 Khvashcheuski, Artsiom Sauchuk, Maksim Pauliushchyk. These persons are considered as political prisoners by Viasna, a Belarusian nal POB: Minsk, former USSR human rights organization. of (now Belarus) She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations and the Gender: female for seriously undermining the rule of law, as well as for the European Nationality: