Appeal brought on 29 February 2024 by Vadim Nikolaevich Moshkovich against the judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) delivered on 20 December 2023 in Case T-283/22, Moshkovich v Council

(Case C-162/24 P)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Appellant: Vadim Nikolaevich Moshkovich (represented by: D. Rovetta, avocat, M. Campa, M. Moretto, V. Villante, avvocati)

Other party to the proceedings: Council of the European Union

Form of order sought

The appellant claims that the Court should:

set aside the judgment under appeal;

annul :

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/397¹ of 9 March 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/396² of 9 March 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 269/2014;

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1530¹ of 14 September 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1529² of 14 September 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) 269/2014;

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/572¹ of 13 March 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/571² of 13 March 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) 269/2014;

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/811¹ of 13 April 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/806² of 13 April 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014;

as a subordinate to the above, set aside the judgment under appeal and refer the case back to the General Court;

order the Council of the European Union to bear the Appellant’s costs both concerning the first instance and present appeal proceedings.

Pleas in law and main arguments

In the current appeal, the Appellant relies on the six main grounds of appeal:

The General Court has failed to fulfil its obligation to provide effective judicial protection under articles 41 and 47 of the EU charter of fundamental rights – breach of article 275 TFEU – Infringement of the principle of proportionality and article 52 of the EU charter of fundamental rights.

Misinterpretation of listing criterion (g) as requesting that it is economic sectors and not businesspersons that must provide a substantial source of revenue – As a subordinate, plea of illegality and inapplicability of listing criterion (g) under article 277 TFEU.

The General Court has exceeded the scope of its review – Related breach of essential procedural requirements and of the duty to state reasons under article 296 TFEU.

Infringement and misinterpretation of the terms “source of revenue” and “substantial” under listing criterion (g) – Distortion of facts and evidence – Breach of essential procedural requirements and the duty to state reasons under article 296 TFEU – Misapplication of listing criterion (g) to the payment of taxes.

Distortion of facts and evidence related to a link between the appellant’s designation and the objectives of the restrictive measures – Breach of essential procedural requirements and the duty to state reasons under article 296 TFEU.

Infringement and misinterpretation of general principles of EU law and, in particular, the principles of proportionality, equal treatment and non-discrimination.

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¹ 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).

¹ 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).

¹ 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).

¹ 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).

¹ 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 75I , p. 134).

¹ 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 75I , p. 1).

¹ 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).

¹ 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).