EU sanctions Iranians accused of plots against dissidents

The European Union has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and one organisation for orchestrating assassination plots against Iranian dissidents for the Iranian government, as reported by The New Arab via Reuters on July 16th.

In a statement, the European Council cited “serious human rights violations” and “transnational repression” as grounds for the measures, which include asset freezes and travel bans.

Among those sanctioned is the Zindashti Network, a criminal group linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The Council accused the network of carrying out multiple acts of transnational repression, including assassinations targeting Iranian dissidents.

The network’s leader, Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, has been identified as a narcotics trafficker and an organised crime boss. Zindashti and his network had already appeared on previous US sanctions lists.

The Council also named Mohammed Ansari, leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Unit 840, who allegedly ordered the assassination of journalists who spoke out against the Iranian regime.

The EU said these sanctions underscore its growing concern over Iran’s use of criminal networks and proxy agents to suppress dissents beyond its borders. The Council highlighted repeated instances of Iranian state bodies employing organised crime groups to target dissidents and human rights activists internationally, including within EU member states.

These measures reflect the EU’s efforts to confront what it describes as a pattern of state-sponsored repression and violence aimed at silencing critics of Iran’s leadership.

The New Arab plus agencies