UK Sanctions Target 30 Corrupt Political Figures, Human Rights Violators and Perpetrators of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Around the World

December 9, 2022

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has today (9 December) announced a new wave of sanctions that targets corrupt actors, and those violating and abusing human rights, as well as perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict.

This wave, co-ordinated with international partners, marks International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day.

The package includes individuals and entities involved in a wide range of grievous activities – including the torture of prisoners, the mobilisation of troops to rape civilians, and systematic atrocities.

These sanctions demonstrate the UK’s commitment to defend free societies and the human rights of everyone, everywhere.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

It is our duty to promote free and open societies around the world.

Today our sanctions go further to expose those behind the heinous violations of our most fundamental rights to account.

We are committed to using every lever at our disposal to secure a future of freedom over fear.

Since gaining new powers following our exit from the EU, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has used targeted sanctions across multiple regimes to hold those committing these egregious acts, whether in Russia, Iran, Myanmar, or elsewhere, to account.

Today’s sanctions include targets from 11 countries across 7 sanctions regimes – the most that the UK has ever brought together in 1 package.

[...]

Sanctions in Iran and Russia

The UK is also using geographical sanctions regimes to ensure that violators of human rights are held to account.

10 Iranian officials connected to Iran’s judicial and prison systems, have been sanctioned.

This includes 6 individuals linked to the Revolutionary Courts that have been responsible for prosecuting protestors with egregious sentences including the death penalty.

In addition, Ali Cheharmahali, and Ghloamreza Ziyayi, former directors of the Evin Prison, in Tehran, a facility notorious for the mistreatment of both Iranian and foreign detainees, have been sanctioned. Allah Karam Azizi, warden of Razee Shahr Prison, has also been sanctioned.

The UK has also sanctioned the Russian Colonel Ibatullin for his role as the commander of the 90th Tank Division, which has been on the front line since Russia began its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

[...]

Iran:

  • Allah Karam Azizi, Warden of Razaee Shahr Prison, Alborz
  • Iman Afshari, Presiding judge of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran
  • Seyed Ali Mazloum, Presiding judge of Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran
  • Mohammed-Reza Amouzad, Presiding judge of Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran
  • Ali Alghasimehr, Prosecutor General of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran
  • Ali Cheharmahali, Former Director of Evin Prison (July 2016 to July 2019)
  • Gholamreza Ziyayi, Former Director of Evin Prison (July 2019 to June 2020)
  • Hassan Babaei, Former Judge in the Revolutionary Court of Tehran
  • Mostafa Mohebi, Former Director of State Prison Organisation in Tehran Province (June 2016 to June 2019)
  • Mousa Ghazanfarabadi, Former Head of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran (May 2016 to November 2020)

[...]