62022TJ0289_INF
Judgment of the General Court (First Chamber) of 7 February 2024 –Shuvalov v Council
(Case T‑289/22) (
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)
(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 – List of persons, entities and bodies subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources – Inclusion and maintenance of the applicant’s name on the list – Status of natural person supporting actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine – Article 2(1)(a) of Decision 2014/145/CFSP – Obligation to state reasons – Error of assessment – Freedom of expression – Equal treatment – Proportionality – Right to property – Right to effective judicial protection – Misuse of powers)
1.
Acts of the institutions – Statement of reasons – Obligation – Scope – Restrictive measures taken in view of the situation in Ukraine – Freezing of funds of persons responsible for, supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine, and of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them – Obligation to identify in the statement of reasons the specific and concrete elements justifying the said measure – Decision falling within a context known to the person concerned, enabling him or her to understand the scope of the measure taken against him or her – Whether summary statement of reasons sufficient
(Art. 296 TFEU; Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/265, (CFSP) 2022/1530 and (CFSP) 2023/572; Council Regulations No 269/2014, 2022/260, 2022/1529 and 2023/571)
(see paragraphs 24-29, 31-34, 38-39)
2.
European Union – Judicial review of the legality of the acts of the institutions – Restrictive measures taken 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 – Error of assessment – None
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/265, (CFSP) 2022/1530 and (CFSP) 2023/572 ; Council Regulations No 269/2014, 2022/260, 2022/1529 and 2023/571)
(see paragraphs 59-67, 76, 81-83, 87)
3.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures taken in view of the situation in Ukraine – Prohibition on entry and transit and freezing of funds of certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Ukraine – Restriction of the right to property – Breach of principle of proportionality – None
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Arts 17 and 52(1); Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/265, (CFSP) 2022/1530 and (CFSP) 2023/572; Council Regulations No 269/2014, 2022/260, 2022/1529 and 2023/571)
(see paragraphs 95-104, 107-109, 116)
4.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures taken in view of the situation in Ukraine – Prohibition on entry and transit and freezing of funds of certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Ukraine – Restriction of the right to freedom of expression – None – Infringement – None
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 11; Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2022/265, (CFSP) 2022/1530 and (CFSP) 2023/572; Council Regulations No 269/2014, 2022/260, 2022/1529 and 2023/571)
(see paragraphs 122-124)
Operative part
The Court:
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Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Igor Shuvalov to pay the costs.
(
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)	OJ C 318, 22.8.2022.