Australia Imposes Sanctions on Iran, Russia over Protests Crackdown

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (EPA)
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (EPA)
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Australia Imposes Sanctions on Iran, Russia over Protests Crackdown

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (EPA)
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (EPA)

Australia's foreign minister said on Saturday the government would place targeted sanctions on Russia and Iran in response to what it called "egregious" human rights violations.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement Australia was imposing sanctions on 13 individuals and two entities, including Iran’s Morality Police and Basij Resistance Force, and six Iranians involved in the crackdown on protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody in September.

Seven Russians involved in what the foreign minister said was the attempted assassination of former opposition leader Alexei Navalny would also have human rights sanctions imposed on them, Wong said in her statement.

In addition to human rights sanctions, Wong said Australia was placing further targeted financial sanctions on three Iranians and one Iranian business for supplying drones to Russia for use against Ukraine. Australia's foreign minister said on Saturday the government would place targeted sanctions on Russia and Iran in response to what it called "egregious" human rights violations.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement Australia was imposing sanctions on 13 individuals and two entities, including Iran’s Morality Police and Basij Resistance Force, and six Iranians involved in the crackdown on protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody in September.

Seven Russians involved in what the foreign minister said was the attempted assassination of former opposition leader Alexei Navalny would also have human rights sanctions imposed on them, Wong said in her statement.

In addition to human rights sanctions, Wong said Australia was placing further targeted financial sanctions on three Iranians and one Iranian business for supplying drones to Russia for use against Ukraine.



UK Lifts Sanctions against Syria's Defense Ministry, Intelligence Agencies

The Union Jack flag is flown outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain February 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
The Union Jack flag is flown outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain February 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
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UK Lifts Sanctions against Syria's Defense Ministry, Intelligence Agencies

The Union Jack flag is flown outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain February 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
The Union Jack flag is flown outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain February 9, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo

Britain on Thursday lifted assets freezes on Syria's defense and interior ministries, and a range of intelligence agencies, reversing sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad's presidency.
The West is rethinking its approach to Syria after insurgent forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Assad as president in December after more than 13 years of civil war, Reuters reported.
A notice posted online by the British finance ministry said the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense and General Intelligence Directorate were among 12 entities no longer subject to an asset freeze.
The notice did not set out reasons for the de-listing.
In March, the government unfroze the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities including banks and oil companies.
The British government has previously stressed that sanctions on members of the Assad regime would remain in place.