62021TJ0533_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 18 October 2023 –Belaz-upravljajusaja kompanija holdinga Belaz Holding v Council
(Case T‑533/21) (
1
)
(Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Belarus – Freezing of funds – Lists of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources – Inclusion and maintenance of the applicant’s name on the lists – Concept of ‘support for the regime’ – State-owned enterprise – Error of assessment)
1.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Freezing of funds and economic resources – Rights of the defence – Notification of inculpatory evidence – Difference between the name used in the decisions to freeze funds and the formally registered company name of the entity subject to the measures – No infringement of defence rights or right to effective judicial protection
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Arts 41(2) and 47; Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2021/1002 and (CFSP) 2023/421; Council Regulations No 765/2006, 2021/997 and 2023/419)
(see paragraphs 26-29, 88, 89)
2.
European Union – Judicial review of the legality of the acts of the institutions – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Freezing of funds of certain persons and entities having regard to the situation in Belarus – Scope of the review – Proof that the measure is well founded – Factual basis – Specific, precise and consistent information
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2021/1002 and (CFSP) 2023/421; Council Regulations No 765/2006, 2021/997 and 2023/419)
(see paragraphs 34-38, 42-46, 69, 77-81, 94-96)
3.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Freezing of funds of certain persons and entities having regard to the situation in Belarus – Measures adopted in accordance with an implementing power – Interpretation of the implementing measure in accordance with the basic act – Taking into account of the context of the legislation at issue
(Art. 215(2) TFEU; Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2021/1002 and (CFSP) 2023/421; Council Regulations No 765/2006, 2021/997 and 2023/419)
(see paragraph 50)
4.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Criteria for adopting restrictive measures – Natural or legal persons, entities or bodies benefitting from or supporting the Lukashenko regime – Concept of support for the regime – Undertaking belonging to the State – Transfer of financial resources to the State – Included – Undertaking not controlling the use of those resources by the State – Irrelevant
(Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2021/1002 and (CFSP) 2023/421, Art. 4(1)(b); Council Regulations No 765/2006, Art. 2(5), 2021/997 and 2023/419)
(see paragraphs 64-66, 68)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders OAO Belaz – upravljajusaja kompanija holdinga Belaz Holding to pay the costs.
(
1
)	OJ C 422, 18.10.2021.