Brussels, 21 July 2022
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1276
of 21 July 2022
amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 17 March 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/145/CFSP (1).
(2) The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and continues to condemn actions and policies undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
(3) The Syrian regime provides support, including military support, for Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that six individuals and one entity involved in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine alongside Russian troops should be added to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Annex to Decision 2014/145/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, 21 July 2022.
For the Council
The President
M. BEK
(1) Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 16).
ANNEX
The following persons and entity are added to the list of persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP:
Persons
| Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing | |
| ‘1176. | Muhammad AL-SALTI (Muhamad AL-SALTI, Akram Muhammad AL-SALTI, Muhammad SALTI) – محمد السلطي, أكرم السلطي, أكرم محمد السلطي, محمد | Nationality: Syrian
Position: Commander-in-Chief of the “Palestine Liberation Army” Gender: male |
Muhammad AL-SALTI is the Commander-in-Chief of the “Palestine Liberation Army”, engaged in the recruitment of Palestinians to fight in Ukraine alongside Russia. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022 |
| 1177. | Abu Hani SHAMMOUT (Abu Hani SHAMOUT, Abu SHAMMOUT, Hani SHAMMOUT) – أبو هاني شموط, أبو شموط, هاني شموط | Gender: male | Abu Hani SHAMMOUT is a former Syrian military officer and leader of the “al-Ahdat al-Omariya” faction, responsible, alongside Russian recruiters, for the enrolment of Syrian mercenaries from Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahem, south of Damascus, destined to fight for the Russian forces in Libya and in Ukraine. He has been directly charged by the Wagner Group with overseeing the recruitment of veterans. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022 |
| 1178. | Nabeul AL-ABDULLAH (Nabel AL-ABDULLAH, Nabel AL-ABDALLAH, Nabel ABDALLAH, Nabel ABDULLAH) – نابل عبدالله, نابل العبدالله | Position: Commander of the National Defence Forces in the city of Suqaylabiyah
Gender: male |
Nabeul AL-ABDULLAH is the commander of the National Defence Forces in the city of Suqaylabiyah. He has been overseeing the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022 |
| 1179. | Simon AL WAKIL (Simon WAKIL, Simon Al WAQIL, Simon WAQIL, Simon AL WAKEEL, Simon WAKEEL) – سيمون الوكيل, سيمون | Position: Commander of the National Defence Forces in the city of Maharda
Gender: male |
Simon AL WAKIL is a commander of the National Defence Forces in the city of Maharda (Hama). He collaborates directly with the command of the Russian forces in Syria, and is an active relay of the operations of enrolment to fight in Ukraine alongside Russia. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022 |
| 1180. | Fawaz Mikhail GERGES – فواز ميخائيل جرجس | Position: businessman, CEO of Al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services
Gender: male |
Fawaz Mikhail Gerges is the director of Al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services Ltd, a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group in Syria, active in the protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites). He is responsible for recruiting mercenaries for the benefit of Russian forces in Libya and Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022 |
| 1181. | Yasar Hussein IBRAHIM (Yassar Hussein IBRAHIM, Yassar IBRAHIM) – ياسر حسين ابراهيم | Nationality: Syrian
DOB: 9.4.1983 POB: Damascus Gender: male |
Yasar Hussein Ibrahim is the co-owner of Al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services Ltd, a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group in Syria, active in the protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites). The company is active in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and Ukraine. Yasar Hussein Ibrahim is therefore responsible for, supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022’ |
Entities
| Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing | |
| ‘102. | Al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services Ltd (aka “ISIS Hunters”) – شركة الصياد لخدمات الحراسة والحماية | Date of creation: 2017
Headquarters: Al Suqaylabiya (region of Hama) |
Al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services Ltd is a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group in Syria, active in the protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites). The company, which operates under the name “ISIS Hunters”, is active in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and Ukraine. The company is therefore responsible for, supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 21.7.2022’ |
Source – EUR-Lex