62021CJ0413_INF
Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 20 April 2023 –Council v El-Qaddafi
(Case C‑413/21 P) (
1
)
(Appeal – Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures taken in view of the situation in Libya – List of persons and entities subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources – List of persons subject to restrictions on entry into and transit through the territory of the European Union – Retention of Ms El-Qaddafi’s name on the lists – Sufficiently solid factual basis – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
European Union – Judicial review of the legality of the acts of the institutions – Restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya – 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
(Council Decisions (CFSP) 2017/497 and 2020/374; Council Regulations 2017/489 and 2020/371)
(see paragraphs 65, 68, 69, 102)
2.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Libya – Regulation 2016/44 – Freezing of funds and economic resources – Criteria for adopting restrictive measures – Association with the former regime of Muammar Qadhafi – Threat to the peace, stability or security of Libya or the successful completion of its political transition – Council’s obligation to carry out an updated assessment in the course of the review of the restrictive measures
(Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333, as amended by Decisions (CFSP) 2017/497 and (CFSP) 2020/374; Council Regulations 2016/44, 2017/489 and 2020/371)
(see paragraphs 75-77, 107)
3.
Action for annulment – Judgment annulling a measure – Effects – Limitation by the Court – Regulations and decisions imposing restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya – Annulment on the grounds of an insufficiently solid factual basis for maintaining the applicant’s name on the lists – Effects of the annulled decisions and regulations not maintained for a period of three months from the date of delivery of the judgment
(Arts 264, second para., and 266 TFEU; Statute of the Court of Justice, Arts 56, first para., and 60, second para.; Council Decisions (CFSP) 2017/497 and 2020/374; Council Regulations 2017/489 and 2020/371)
(see paragraphs 112-115)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the appeal;
2.
Orders the Council of the European Union to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by Ms Aisha Muammer Mohamed El-Qaddafi;
3.
Orders the French Republic to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 382, 20.9.2021.