Brussels (dpa) – Two members of the Russian judiciary have been banned from entering the EU and using EU-held assets due to alleged human rights violations. The Council of Member States announced sanctions against Dmitri Gordejew and Ljudmila Balandina, citing their roles in severe human rights abuses, suppression of civil society, and attacks on democratic opposition, as well as the erosion of democracy and the rule of law in Russia.
In addition to the entry and asset restrictions, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing funds to the two individuals.
Gordejew, a judge at the Moscow City Court, has a history of delivering politically motivated verdicts against opposition members and human rights activists, consistently ignoring basic principles of impartial justice, according to the statement.
Balandina, a public prosecutor, has been instrumental in several prominent cases involving significant human rights violations and the repression of critics of the Russian government and supporters of Ukraine. She has misused her prosecutorial authority to advance politically charged prosecutions. (22 December)
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