62024TJ0273_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 25 June 2025 –Ezubov v Council
(Case T‑273/24)
(Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures taken in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine – Freezing of funds – Restriction on admission to the territory of the Member States – Lists of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and restrictions on admission to the territory of the Member States – Maintenance of the applicant’s name on the lists – Concept of ‘person benefitting from a leading businessperson’ – Article 2(1)(g) of Decision 2014/145/CFSP – Error of assessment)
1.
European Union – Judicial review of the legality of the acts of the institutions – Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Ukraine – Scope of the review – Proof that the measure is well founded – Obligation on the competent EU authority to establish, in the event of challenge, that the reasons relied on against the persons or entities concerned are well founded – Inclusion on the lists based on a specific, precise and consistent body of evidence – None – Error of assessment
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2024/847 and (CFSP) 2024/2456; Council Regulations No 269/2014, 2024/849 and 2024/2455)
(see paragraphs 37-41, 52-58, 62-63, 68-73)
2.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Ukraine – Criteria for adopting restrictive measures – Leading businesspersons operating in Russia and their close family members or other natural persons benefiting from them – Concept of benefit – Non-negligible benefit of any kind – Benefit granted before the annexation of Crimea – Not included
(Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2023/1094, Art. 2(1)(g); Council Regulations No 269/2014, Art. 3(1)(g), and 2023/1089)
(see paragraphs 45-49)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Annuls Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/847 of 12 March 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/849 of 12 March 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2456 of 12 September 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2455 of 12 September 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in so far as the name of Mr Pavel Ezubov was maintained on the lists of persons, entities and bodies to which those restrictive measures apply;
2.
Orders the Council of the European Union to pay the costs.