The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian officials for mistreatment of prisoners in Rostov.
The Council of the European Union announced restrictive measures against ten individuals responsible for significant human rights violations in Russia, including those related to the death of at least 15 prisoners in the Rostov region.
The sanctions concern officials from the main directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service in the Rostov region, including detention facility No. 2. It is in these institutions, managed by the mentioned individuals, where prisoners, including prisoners of war, were subjected to torture, suffered from a lack of food, and were denied access to medical and legal services. Due to the cruel treatment, at least 15 people died, among them Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchina.
Measures are also directed against representatives of the Russian judiciary involved in the prosecution of activist Aleksei Gorinov, and against individuals implicated in the persecution of citizens associated with the deceased politician Alexey Navalny. The sanctions entail asset freezes and travel bans to EU countries, as well as a ban on providing them with funds by European citizens and companies.
| Name | Position | Sanctions |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Shtoda | Head of Detention Facility No. 2 Taganrog | Asset freeze, travel ban |
| Andrey Polyakov | Main Jailor of Rostov Region | Asset freeze, travel ban |
This decision is based on the new EU sanctions system introduced in March 2024 to combat human rights abuses and undermine democracy. It is part of the ongoing EU efforts to ensure respect for human rights in Russia and other countries. Experts note that such steps may increase international pressure on the Russian leadership but also heighten tensions in relations between the EU and Russia.
