COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2433

12.12.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | LI 318/36 ---|---|---|--- * * * COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2022/2433 of 12 December 2022 implementing Decision 2011/235/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2011/235/CFSP of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Iran (1), and in particular Article 3(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) | On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/235/CFSP. ---|--- (2) | On 25 September 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a declaration on behalf of the Union deploring the widespread and disproportionate use of force by the Iranian security forces against non-violent protestors, noting that it had resulted in the loss of lives as well as a large number of injuries. The declaration also spelled out that those responsible for the killing of Mahsa Amini must be held accountable, and called on the Iranian authorities to ensure transparent and credible investigations to clarify the number of deaths and arrests, to release all non-violent protestors and to provide due process to all detainees. Furthermore, the declaration stressed that Iran’s decision to severely restrict internet access and block instant messaging platforms blatantly violates freedom of expression. Finally, the declaration stated that the Union will consider all the options at its disposal to address the killing of Mahsa Amini and the way Iranian security forces have responded to the ensuing demonstrations. ---|--- (3) | In this context, and in line with the Union’s commitment to address all issues of concern with Iran, including the human rights situation, 20 persons and one entity should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP. ---|--- (4) | Decision 2011/235/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Brussels, 12 December 2022. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES * * * (1) OJ L 100, 14.4.2011, p. 51. * * * ANNEX The following persons and entity are added to the list of persons and entities set out in the Annex to Decision 2011/235/CFSP: | Persons | | Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘136. | JEBELLI Peyman پیمان جبلی | DOB: 25.1.1967 POB: Tehran, Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Function: Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) | Peyman Jebelli is the Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which is notorious for being a regime mouthpiece. IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced “confessions” of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These “confessions” are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash. As Director of IRIB, Jebelli is responsible for IRIB’s actions and news content. | 12.12.2022 | | | Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests, Jebelli continues to act in his position. His appointment as director of Iran’s main official news source was authorised by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and indicates ideological proximity to the regime. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 137. | REZVANI Ali رضوانی علی | DOB: 1984 Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Function: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reporter and news anchor/presenter on political and security affairs | Ali Rezvani is a reporter for Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and news anchor/presenter on IRIB’s nightly 20.30 news programme. IRIB is a state-controlled Iranian media organisation and tasked with spreading government information. IRIB’s nightly 20.30 news broadcast, which airs on Channel 2, is the country’s leading news programme and considered to be IRIB’s primary platform for implementing the agendas of security forces, including the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Documented cases show that the 20.30 news airs forced confessions. | 12.12.2022 | | | In his capacity as IRIB reporter, Ali Rezvani participates in interrogations leading to forced confessions, thereby directly engaging in and facilitating serious human rights violations. In his capacity as news anchor of the 20.30 news, Rezvani promotes the Iranian security forces’ agenda, which condones serious human rights violations such as torture and arbitrary arrests and detention. Rezvani also peddles propaganda against critics in order to intimidate them and to justify and encourage their ill-treatment, thereby violating their right to free expression. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 138. | ZABIHPOUR Ameneh Sadat ذبیح پور آمنه سادات | DOB: 7.8.1984 POB: Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: female Function: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reporter and head of the foreign Persian-language media group at IRIB Passport no: 09324611 | Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour is the head of the foreign Persian-language media group at IRIB, which is notorious for being a regime mouthpiece. IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced “confessions” of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These “confessions” are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash. Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests, Zabihpour continues to act in her position. She has interrogated critics of the regime and produced forced confession videos. She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 139. | KHATAMI Seyyed Ahmad خاتمی سید احمد | DOB: 8.5.1960 POB: Semnan, Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Function: Friday-prayer imam, member of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership | Seyyed Ahmad Khatami is a hard-line cleric and an influential Friday-prayer imam in Tehran. Khatami is also a member of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership, an Iranian entity that is itself implicated in human rights violations for its neglect in upholding constitutional provisions. As a cleric close to the state authorities and with a large audience, he leverages his position to verbally attack and incite violence against protesters. He not only defends the repressive actions of the security forces of Iran but has also on several occasions urged for even harsher treatment of protesters, including the death sentence. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 140. | MIRAHMADI Seyyed Majid مجید سید میراحمدی | POB: Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Deputy Minister of Interior of Iran | Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi is Iran’s Deputy Minister of Interior, responsible for overseeing Iran’s security and police forces, actors that are involved in serious human rights violations in Iran. Iran’s security and police forces are violently clamping down on protests, shooting directly at peaceful protesters and arbitrarily arresting people with total disregard for their human rights. In his statements, Mirahmadi refers to the protests as riots that have to end, and criminalises and threatens those participating in peaceful protests. He is also personally whitewashing the serious human rights violations committed by forces under his authority, – for example, by claiming that 16-year-old protester Nika Shakrami committed suicide. Reports indicate that it is very likely that she died at the hands of security forces. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 141. | MOUSAVI Sayyed Abdolrahim موسوی سید عبدالرحیم | DOB: 1959/1960 POB: Qom, Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Major General Function: Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army | Major General Sayyed Abdolrahim Mousavi is the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Army. In this capacity, he bears responsibility for the Iranian Army’s involvement in the regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests. On several occasions, Mousavi described the protests in Iran as riots organised and planned by the enemies of Iran, thereby framing the protests as a national security threat. He used threatening language directed at participants in the protest movement. He also praised the Iranian security forces’ violent response to protesters, describing it as an effective way to neutralise Iran’s enemies. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 142. | BORMAHANI Mohsen محسن برمهانی | DOB: 24.5.1979 POB: Neishabur, Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Passport no: A54062245 (Iran), expires 12.7.2026 National ID no: 1063893488 (Iran) Function: Deputy Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) | Mohsen Bormahani is the Deputy Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which acts as a regime mouthpiece. In his position, Bormahani holds responsibility for IRIB content. IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced “confessions” of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These “confessions” are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash. Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests in Iran, Bormahani continues to act in his position as Deputy Director and in recent statements has defended the regime. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 143. | JOKAR Morteza جوکار مرتضا (a.k.a. JOWKAR Morteza) | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Colonel Function: deputy head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province | Colonel Morteza Jokar is the deputy head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province. In this function, he is responsible for directing the violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Sistan and Baluchestan province following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Forces under his command are responsible for firing live ammunition at protesters during the 30 September 2022 massacre in Zahedan and the 4 November 2022 massacre in Khash, in which dozens of people were killed and wounded. Other violent crackdowns on protests in other provincial cities (Saravan, Chabahar, Iranshahr, Rask, Sarbaz and others) also took place under his control during the autumn of 2022. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 144. | SOURI Majid سوری مجید | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Colonel Function: Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Lorestan province | Colonel Majid Souri is the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Lorestan province. He is responsible for the security forces’ violent repression of protests in 2022, especially in the city of Khorramabad, where people gathered to mourn the death of Nika Shakrami, an Iranian teenager who disappeared soon after Mahsa Amini’s death. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 145. | KARIMI Mohsen کریمی محصن | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Markazi province | Brigadier General Mohsen Karimi is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Markazi province. He is responsible for the security forces’ violent repression of protests in 2022, which also led to the death of 19-year-old Mehrshad Shahidi in an IRGC detention centre in Arak. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 146. | HEYDARNIA Alireza حیدرنیا علیرضا | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Alborz province | Brigadier General Alireza Heydarnia is the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Alborz province. The IRGC is responsible for the violent repression of protesters, in particular in the city of Karaj, Alborz, in 2022. In that city, security forces cracked down on protesters on the occasion of rallies to honour the victims of the protests on the 40th day after their death. On 17 October 2022, security forces in Karaj abducted from hospital and repeatedly raped Armita Abbasi, a 20-year-old girl. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 147. | GARSHASBI Amanollah گرشاسبی امانالله | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Sistan and Baluchestan province | Brigadier General Amanollah Garshasbi is the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Salaman provincial corps is under his command. Sistan and Baluchestan province have seen some of the most violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. On 30 September 2022, the province capital Zahedan witnessed “bloody Friday”, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming in Zahedan around Friday prayer. It is estimated that at least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against participants in protests has continued. Garshasbi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 148. | REYHANI Bahman بهمن ریحانی | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the West of Iran, responsible for Kermanshah province. | Brigadier General Bahman Reyhani is the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the West of Iran, responsible for Kermanshah province. The Hazrat Nabi Akram provincial corps is under his command. Kermanshah province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. Reyhani is among those responsible for the IRGC violence against protestors in Kermanshah province. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 149. | SHAHSAVARI Habib شهسواری حبیب | DOB: 1963/1964 Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Shohada provincial corps in West Azerbaijan province | Brigadier General Habib Shahsavari is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Shohada ground troops corps for the province of West Azerbaijan. IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in the West Azerbaijan towns of Piranshahr, Mahabad and Bukan. IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations. According to NGO estimates, IRGC operations in the towns of Mahabad and Bukan killed four and 12 people respectively. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 150. | ABDOLLAHPOUR Mohammad عبدللاهپور محمد | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds provincial corps in Gilan province | Brigadier General Mohammad Abdollahpour is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds provincial corps in Gilan province. Gilan province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including by IRGC forces under Abdollahpour’s command, during the 2022 protests. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 151. | MOSLEMI Siavash مسلمی سیاوش | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Karbala provincial corps in Mazandaran province | Brigadier General Siavash Moslemi has been the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Karbala provincial corps in Mazandaran province since June 2020. In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters and in those operations used disproportionate force. As commander of the troops engaged, Moslemi is among those responsible for violence against protesters. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 152. | ZULQADR Ahmad ذوالقدر احمد | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Seyyed al-Shohada provincial corps in Tehran province | Brigadier General Ahmad Zulqadr has been the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Seyyed al-Shohada provincial corps in Tehran province since November 2020. He is also the deputy commander of the IRGC corps in Tehran city. According to media reports, Zulqadr was chosen for the post especially because of his expertise in suppressing protests. In 2022, repression against protesters in Tehran was particularly violent. As commander of IRGC troops engaged in said violence against protesters, he is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 153. | KASHKOULI Morteza کشکولی مرتضی | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hazrat Abulfazl provincial corps in Lorestan province | Brigadier General Morteza Kashkouli is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hazrat Abulfazl provincial corps in Lorestan province. In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, operations were conducted in the town of Khorramabad in Lorestan. IRGC troops used disproportionate force in these operations, using live ammunition against protesters. As commander of those IRGC forces, Kashkouli is among those responsible for said violence. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 154. | BAYAT Isa بیات عیسی | Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Colonel Function: Commander of the 364th Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigade (Shahid Nasirzadeh) in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province | Colonel Isa Bayat has been the commander of the 364th Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigade (Shahid Nasirzadeh) in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province, since June 2022. In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted military operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in Mahabad, using disproportionate force and leading to the killing of four people. As commander of an IRGC unit conducting said operations, Bayat is responsible for violence against protesters. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022 155. | ASANLOO Mohammad Taghi آصانلو محمد تقی | POB: Zanjan province, Iran Nationality: Iranian Gender: male Rank: Brigadier General Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada regional headquarters in Northwest Iran | Brigadier General Mohammad Taghi Asanloo is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada regional headquarters in Northwest Iran, responsible for the provinces of Kordestan and West Azerbaijan. Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada headquarters has the specific mission of suppressing unrest in the Kurdish regions in Northwest Iran. In 2022, under Asanloo’s command, IRGC troops in this area conducted military operations against protesters in the Kurdish region of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, IRGC troops under Asanloo’s command conducted such operations against protesters in the towns of Piranshahr, Mahabad and Bukan. IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations. According to NGO estimates, IRGC operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions have led to the killing of 42 people since 15 November 2022. As commander of IRGC troops in the region, Asanloo is responsible for violence against protesters conducted by his troops. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022’ | Entities | | Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘12. | Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) سازمان صدا و سيمای جمهوری اسلامی ايران | Address: Jamejam Street, Valiasr Avenue, 19395- 3333 Tehran, Iran Type of entity: state-owned broadcasting company Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) | Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is a state-owned broadcasting company notorious for being a regime mouthpiece. IRIB is responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees, including journalists, political activists, and persons belonging to Kurdish and Arab minorities, thereby violating internationally recognised rights to a fair trial and due process. IRIB is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. | 12.12.2022’ * * *