Judgment of the General Court of 20 December 2023 – Moshkovich v Council

(Case T-283/22) ¹

(Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures adopted in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine – Freezing of funds – Restrictions on movement – List of persons, entities and bodies subject to freezing of funds and economic resources – Inclusion and maintaining of the applicant’s name on the list of persons, entities and bodies concerned – Obligation to state reasons – Error of assessment – Criterion of a leading businessperson involved in economic sectors providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of Russia – Right to property – Freedom to conduct a business – Right to respect for private life – Proportionality – Principle of non-discrimination – Right to be heard)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Applicant: Vadim Nikolaevich Moshkovich (Tambov, Russia) (represented by: D. Rovetta, M. Campa, T. Bontinck, A. Guillerme, L. Burguin, M. Moretto, V. Villante and M. Pirovano, lawyers)

Defendant: Council of the European Union (represented by: P. Mahnič and J. Rurarz, acting as Agents)

Re:

By his action on the basis of Article 263 TFEU, the applicant seeks annulment of (i) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/397 of 9 March 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2022 L 80, p. 31) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/396 of 9 March 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2022 L 80, p. 1); (ii) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1530 of 14 September 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2022 L 239, p. 149) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1529 of 14 September 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2022 L 239, p. 1); (iii) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/572 of 13 March 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 75 I, p. 134) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/571 of 13 March 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 75 I, p. 1), and (iv) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/811 of 13 April 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 101, p. 67) and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/806 of 13 April 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ 2023 L 101, p. 1), in so far as those acts enter and maintain his name on the lists annexed to those acts.

Operative part of the judgment

The Court:

Dismisses the action;

Orders Mr Vadim Nikolaevich Moshkovich to pay the costs.

____________

¹     OJ C 257, 4.7.2022.