Order of the President of the General Court of 21 June 2022 –
Ismailova v Council

(Case T‑234/22 R)

(Interim relief – Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures adopted in respect of Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine – Freezing of funds – Application for interim measures – No urgency – Balancing of interests)

1.      Interim relief – Suspension of operation of a measure – Interim measures – Conditions for granting – Prima facie case – Urgency – Serious and irreparable damage – Cumulative nature – Balancing of all the interests involved – Order of examination and method of verification – Discretion of the court hearing the application for interim relief

(Arts 256(1), 278 and 279 TFEU; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 156(4))

(see paragraphs 14-17)

2.      Interim relief – Admissibility criteria – Application – Formal requirements – Statement of the pleas establishing a prima facie case for granting the measures sought

(Arts 278 and 279 TFEU; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 156(4))

(see paragraphs 18-20)

3.      Interim relief – Suspension of operation of a measure – Interim measures – Conditions for granting – Prima facie case – Urgency – Cumulative nature – Particularly strong prima facie case – No impact on the obligation to examine urgency separately

(Arts 278 and 279 TFEU; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 156(4))

(see paragraph 32)

4.      Interim relief – Suspension of operation of a measure – Conditions for granting – Prima facie case – Prima facie examination of the pleas in law put forward in support of the main action – Action against restrictive measures taken in view of the situation in Ukraine – Restriction of property rights and freedom of enterprise – Breach of principle of proportionality – Prima facie absence

(Art. 21 TEU; Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/329 and (CFSP) 2022/528; Council Regulations No 269/2014, as amended by Regulation 2022/330, and 2022/581)

(see paragraphs 34-38)

5.      Interim relief – Suspension of operation of a measure – Conditions for granting – Balancing of all the interests involved – Restrictive measures taken having regard to the situation in Ukraine – Decision to freeze funds – Persons or entities actively supporting, materially or financially, Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of Ukraine and persons associated with them – Interests pursued by the Council prevailing over the interests of the applicant

(Art. 3(1) and (5) TEU; Art. 278 TFEU; Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Arts 151(2) and 156(4); Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/329 and (CFSP) 2022/582; Council Regulations No 269/2014, as amended by Regulation 2022/330, and 2022/581)

(see paragraphs 42, 44-51)

Operative part

1. The application for interim relief is dismissed.

2. The costs are reserved.