62021TJ0579_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 24 May 2023 – Gusachenka v Council
(Case T‑579/21) (
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)
(Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures adopted in view of the situation in Belarus – Freezing of funds – Restriction on entry into the territory of the Member States – Inclusion of the applicant’s name on the lists of persons, entities and bodies concerned – Duty to state reasons – Error of assessment – Proportionality – Freedom of expression)
1.
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 – 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 – 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 Decision (CFSP) 2021/1002, Annex; Council Regulations No 765/2006 and No 2021/997, Annex)
(see paragraphs 19-22)
2.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Criteria for adopting restrictive measures – Natural or legal persons, entities or organisations benefiting from or supporting the Lukashenko regime – Duties conferring responsibility for the distribution to the public of false information about election results, protests and repression perpetrated by the state authorities – Included – No error of assessment
(Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2021/1002, Art. 3(1)(b), and Art. 4(1)(b), Annex; Council Regulations No 765/2006, Art. 2(5), and 2021/997, Annex)
(see paragraphs 25-27, 33-37, 40-42, 52, 56, 57, 65)
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 – Council not adopting fund-freezing measures against other persons in a comparable situation – No breach of the principle of equal treatment
(Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2021/1002, Annex; Council Regulations No 765/2006 and No 2021/997, Annex)
(see paragraphs 60, 61)
4.
Common foreign and security policy – Restrictive measures against Belarus – Ban on entry and transit as well as freezing of funds of certain persons and entities having regard to the situation in Belarus – Restriction of the right to freedom of expression – Restrictive measures pursuing a legitimate aim of the common foreign and security policy – No breach of principle of proportionality
(Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Arts 11 and 52(1); Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP, as amended by Decision (CFSP) 2021/1002, Arts 3(6), 5 and 8; Council Regulations No 765/2006, Arts 3 and 8(a), and 2021/997)
(see paragraphs 71-92)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Mr Siarhei Gusachenka to bear, in addition to his own costs, those incurred by the Council of the European Union.
(
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)	OJ C 11, 10.1.2022.