Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/855 of 27 May 2021 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria
Date: 2021-05-27
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Syria, economic sanctions, international sanctions, legal person, natural person




L_2021188EN.01009001.xml










28.5.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 188/90








            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2021/855
of 27 May 2021
         
amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 31 May 2013 the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).












(2)


On 28 May 2020 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/719 (2), extending the restrictive measures set out in Decision 2013/255/CFSP until 1 June 2021.












(3)


On the basis of a review of Decision 2013/255/CFSP, the restrictive measures set out therein should be extended until 1 June 2022.












(4)


The entries for 25 natural persons and three entities in the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies set out in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP should be updated.












(5)


The entries for five deceased individuals should be deleted from the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies set out in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP.












(6)


Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:






(1)


Article 34 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 34
This Decision shall apply until 1 June 2022. It shall be kept under constant review. It may be renewed, or amended as appropriate, if the Council deems that its objectives have not been met.’;











(2)


Annex I is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.






Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 27 May 2021.


For the Council


The President

P. SIZA VIEIRA
            





(1)  Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures against Syria (OJ L 147, 1.6.2013, p. 14).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/719 of 28 May 2020 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria (OJ L 168, 29.5.2020, p. 66).




ANNEX
Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:






(1)


in Section A (Persons), the following entries are deleted:






115.


General Ali Habib MAHMOUD;










153.


Waleed AL MO’ALLEM;










180.


Ahmad AL-QADRI;










274.


Nader QALEI;










281.


Mohammad Maen Zein Jazba AL-ABIDIN;














(2)


in Section A (Persons), the following entries replace the corresponding entries in the list:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘14.


Brigadier General Mohammed BILAL
(a.k.a. Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Bilal)


Gender: male


As a senior officer in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service, he supports the Syrian regime and is responsible for the violent repression of the civilian population. He is also associated with the listed Scientific Studies Research Centre (SSRC).


21.10.2014




22.


Ihab MAKHLOUF
(a.k.a. Ehab, Iehab)
(ايهاب مخلوف)


Date of birth: 21.1.1973;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Passport no: N002848852;
Gender: male


Leading businessman operating in Syria. He has business interests in several Syrian companies and entities, including Ramak Construction Co and Syrian International Private University for Science and Technology (SIUST).
He is an influential member of the Makhlouf family and closely connected to the Assad family; cousin of President Bashar al-Assad. In 2020, Ehab Makhlouf took over Rami Makhlouf’s business activities and the Syrian government granted him the contracts to operate and manage the duty-free markets across the country.


23.5.2011




48.


Samir HASSAN
(سمير حسن)


Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and/or activities in multiple sectors of Syria’s economy. He holds interests in and/or has significant influence in the Amir Group and Cham Holding, two conglomerates with interests in the real estate, tourism, transport and finance sectors. President of the Syrian-Russian business council.
Samir Hassan supports the Syrian regime’s war effort with cash donations.
Samir Hassan is associated with persons benefitting from or supporting the regime. In particular, he is associated with Rami Makhlouf and Issam Anbouba, who have been designated by the Council and benefit from the Syrian regime.


27.9.2014




61.


George CHAOUI
(جورج شاوي)


Gender: male


Member of the Syrian electronic army (territorial army intelligence service). Involved in the violent crackdown and call for violence against the civilian population across Syria.


14.11.2011




78.


Ali BARAKAT
(a.k.a. Barakat Ali Barakat)
( علي بركات; بركات علي بركات)


Gender: male


Military official involved in the violence in Homs. Currently serves in the 30th Mobile Infantry Division of the Republican Guard.


1.12.2011




96.


Brigadier General Jamal YUNES
(a.k.a. Younes)
(جمال يونس)


Position: Commander of the 555th Regiment;
Gender: male


Gave orders to troops to shoot at protestors in Mo’adamiyeh.
Head of the Military Security Committee in Hama in 2018.


23.1.2012




114.


Emad Abdul-Ghani SABOUNI
(a.k.a. Imad Abdul Ghani Al Sabuni)
(عماد عبدالغني صابوني)


Date of birth: 1964;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Telecommunications and Technology, in office until at least April 2014. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population. Appointed in July 2016 as the Head of Planning and International Cooperation Agency (PICC). The PICC is a government agency, affiliated to the Prime Ministry and produces, in particular, the five-year plans that provide the broad guidelines for the Government’s economic and development policies.


27.2.2012




117.


Adnan Hassan MAHMOUD
(عدنان حسن محمود)


Date of birth: 1966;
Place of birth: Tartous, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Syrian Ambassador to Iran until 2020. Former Minister of Information in power after May 2011. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.


23.9.2011




132.


Brigadier General Abdul-Salam Fajr MAHMOUD
(عبدالسلام فجر محمود)


Date of birth: 1959
Gender: male


Head of the Security Committee of the Southern Region since December 2020. Former Head of the Bab Tuma (Damascus) Branch of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service. Former Head of the Mezze Airport Air Force intelligence investigation branch. Responsible for the torture of opponents in custody. Under international arrest warrant for "complicity in acts of torture", "complicity in crimes against humanity" and "complicity in war crimes".


24.7.2012




134.


Colonel Qusay Ibrahim MIHOUB
(قصي إبراهيم ميهوب )


Date of birth: 1961;
Place of birth: Derghamo, Jableh, Lattakia, Syria;
Gender: male


High-ranking officer at the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service. Former Head of the Deraa branch of the air force’s intelligence service (sent from Damascus to Deraa at the start of demonstrations there). Responsible for the torture of opponents in custody as well as the violent repression of peaceful protests in the southern region.


24.7.2012




137.


Brigadier General Ibrahim MA’ALA
(a.k.a. Maala, Maale, Ma’la)
( معلى;معلا (ابراهيم


Gender: male


Head of Branch 285 (Damascus) of the General Intelligence Directorate (replaced Brigadier General Hussam Fendi at the end of 2011). Responsible for the torture of opponents in custody.


24.7.2012




139.


Major General Hussam LUQA
(a.k.a. Husam, Housam, Houssam; Louqa, Louca, Louka, Luka)
(حسام لوقا)


Date of birth: 1964;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Head of the Security Committee of the Southern Region from 2018 to 2020. Former Head of the General Security Directorate. Major General. From April 2012 to 2.12.2018, was head of the Homs branch of the Political Security Directorate (succeeded Brigadier General Nasr al-Ali). Since 3.12.2018, head of the Political Security Directorate. Responsible for the torture of opponents in custody.


24.7.2012




140.


Brigadier General Taha TAHA
(طه طه)


Gender: male


Deputy assistant to the Head of the Political Security Division. Former site manager of the Latakia branch of the Political Security Directorate. Responsible for the torture of opponents in custody.


24.7.2012




144.


Major General Ahmed AL-JARROUCHEH (a.k.a. Ahmad; al-Jarousha, al-Jarousheh, al-Jaroucha, al-Jarouchah, al-Jaroucheh)
(احمد الجروشة)


Date of birth: 1957;
Gender: male


Former head of the foreign branch of General Intelligence (Branch 279). As such, responsible for General Intelligence arrangements in Syrian embassies.


24.7.2012




146.


General Ghassan Jaoudat ISMAIL
(a.k.a. Ismael)
(غسان جودت اسماعيل)


Date of birth: 1960;
Place of birth: Junaynat Ruslan – Darkoush, Tartous region, Syria;
Gender: male


Head of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service since 2019. Former deputy director of the Air Force Intelligence Service and previously in charge of the missions branch of the Air Force Intelligence Service which, in cooperation with the special operations branch, manages the elite troops of the Air Force Intelligence Service, who play an important role in the repression conducted by the Syrian regime. As such, Ghassan Jaoudat Ismail is one of the top military leaders directly implementing the violent repression of opponents conducted by the Syrian regime as well as practices of disappearance of civilians.


24.7.2012




147.


Major General Amer AL-ACHI
(a.k.a. Amer Ibrahim al-Achi; Amis al Ashi; Ammar Aachi; Amer Ashi)
(عامر ابراهيم العشي)


Gender: male


Former Governor of the Sweida Governorate, appointed by President Bashar al-Assad in July 2016. Former Head of the intelligence branch of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service (2012-2016). Through his role in the Air Force Intelligence Service, Amer al-Achi is implicated in the repression of the Syrian opposition.


24.7.2012




156.


Hala Mohammad
(a.k.a. Mohamed, Muhammad, Mohammed) AL NASSER
(هاله محمد الناصر)


Date of birth: 1964;
Place of birth: Raqqa, Syria;
Gender: female


Former Minister of Tourism. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.


16.10.2012




172.


Ali HADAR (a.k.a. HAIDAR)


Date of birth: 1962;
Gender: male


Head of the National Reconciliation Agency and former State Minister for National Reconciliation Affairs. Chair of the Intifada wing of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.


16.10.2012




204.


Emad HAMSHO
(a.k.a. Imad Hmisho; Hamchu; Hamcho; Hamisho; Hmeisho; Hemasho, حميشو)
(حمشو عماد)


Address: Hamsho Building 31 Baghdad Street, Damascus, Syria;
Gender: male


Occupies a senior management position in Hamsho Trading. As a result of his senior position in Hamsho Trading, a subsidiary of Hamsho International, which has been designated by the Council, he provides support to the Syrian regime. He is also associated with a designated entity, Hamsho International. He is also vice-president of the Syrian Council of Iron and Steel alongside designated regime businessmen such as Ayman Jaber. He is also an associate of President Bashar al-Assad.


7.3.2015




241.


Salam Mohammad AL-SAFFAF


Date of birth: 1979;
Gender: female


Administrative Development Minister. Appointed in March 2017.


30.5.2017




265.


Mohamad Amer MARDINI
(a.k.a. Mohammad Amer Mardini, Mohamed Amer MARDINI, Mohamad Amer AL-MARDINI, Mohamed Amer AL-MARDINI, Mohammad Amer AL-MARDINI)


Date of birth: 1959;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Higher Education in power after May 2011 (appointed 27.8.2014). As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.


21.10.2014




268.


Ghassan Ahmed GHANNAM
(a.k.a. Major General Ghassan Ghannan, Brigadier General Ghassan Ahmad Ghanem)


Rank: Major General;
Position: Commander of the 155th Missile Brigade;
Gender: male


Member of the Syrian Armed Forces of the rank of Colonel and the equivalent or higher in post after May 2011. Major General and Commander of the 155th Missile Brigade. Associated with Maher al-Assad through his role in the 155th Missile Brigade. As Commander of the 155th Missile Brigade, he is supporting the Syrian regime and he is responsible for the violent repression of the civilian population. Responsible for firing scud missiles at various civilian sites between January and March 2013.


21.10.2014




285.


Samer FOZ
(a.k.a. Samir Foz/Fawz; Samer Zuhair Foz; Samer Foz bin Zuhair)
(سامر فوز)


Date of birth: 20 May 1973;
Place of birth: Homs, Syria / Latakia, Syria;
Nationalities: Syrian, Turkish;
Turkish passport number: U 09471711 (place of issue: Turkey; expiry date: 21.7.2024);
Syrian national number: 06010274705
Address: Platinum Tower, office No 2405, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, UAE
Position: CEO of Aman Group;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and activities in multiple sectors of Syria’s economy, including a regime-backed joint venture involved in the development of Marota City, a luxury residential and commercial development. Samer Foz provides financial and other support to the Syrian regime, including funding the Military Security Shield Forces in Syria and brokering grain deals. He also benefits financially from access to commercial opportunities through the wheat trade and reconstruction projects as a result of his links to the regime.


21.1.2019




 


 


Other information: Executive President of Aman Group. Subsidiaries: Foz for Trading, Al-Mohaimen for Transportation & Contracting. Aman Group is the private sector partner in joint venture Aman Damascus JSC with Damascus Cham Holding, in which Foz is an individual shareholder. Emmar Industries is a joint venture between Aman Group and the Hamisho Group, in which Foz has the majority stake and is the Chairman.


 


 




291.


Amer FOZ
(a.k.a. Amer Zuhair Fawz)
(عامر فوز)


Date of birth: 11.3.1976;
Nationality: Syrian; Saint Kitts and Nevis;
National no: 06010274747;
Passport no: 002-14-L169340
UAE resident card: 784-1976-7135283-5


Leading businessperson with personal and family business interests and activities in multiple sectors of the Syrian economy. He benefits financially from access to commercial opportunities and supports the Syrian regime. Between 2012 and 2019, he was General Manager of ASM International Trading LLC.
He is also associated with his brother Samer Foz, who has been designated by the Council since January 2019 as a leading businessperson operating in Syria and for supporting or benefiting from the regime. Together with his brother, he implements a number of commercial projects, notably in the Adra al-Ummaliyya area (Damascus suburbs). These projects include a factory that manufactures cables and cable accessories as well as a project to produce electricity using solar power. They also engaged in various activities with ISIL (Da’esh) on behalf of the Assad regime, including the provision of weapons and ammunitions in exchange for wheat and oil.


17.2.2020




 


 


Position: Founder of District 6 Company; Founding partner of Easy life Company;
Relatives/business associates/entities or partners/links: Samer Foz; Vice Chairman of Asas Steel Company; Aman Holding;
Gender: male


 


 




295.


Adel Anwar AL-OLABI
(a.k.a. Adel Anouar el-Oulabi, Adil Anwar al-Olabi)
(عادل أنور العلبي)


Date of birth: 1976;
Nationality: Syrian;
Position: Chairman of Damascus Cham Holding Company (DCHC); Governor of Damascus;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson benefiting from and supporting the Syrian regime. Chairman of Damascus Cham Holding Company (DCHC), the investment arm of the Governorate of Damascus managing the properties of the Governorate of Damascus and implementing the Marota City project.
Adel Anwar al-Olabi is also the Governor of Damascus, appointed by President Bashar al-Assad in November 2018. As Governor of Damascus and Chair of DCHC, he is responsible for efforts to implement regime policies of developing expropriated land in Damascus (including Decree No 66 and Law No 10), most notably through the Marota City project.


17.2.2020’;














(3)


in Section B (Entities), the following entries replace the corresponding entries in the list:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘1.


Bena Properties


Cham Holding Building, Daraa Highway, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya Rif Dimashq, Syria, P.O.Box 9525


Controlled by Rami Makhlouf. Syria’s largest real estate company and the real estate and investment arm of Cham Holding; provides funding to the Syrian regime.


23.6.2011




77.


Al Qatarji Company
(a.k.a. Qatarji International Group; Al-Sham and Al-Darwish Company; Qatirji/Khatirji/Katarji/Katerji Group)
(مجموعة/شركة قاطرجي)


Type of entity: private company;
Business sector: import/export; trucking; supply of oil and commodities;
Name of Director/Management: Hussam al-Qatirji, CEO (designated by the Council);


Prominent company operating across multiple sectors of the Syrian economy. By facilitating fuel, arms and ammunition trade between the regime and various actors including ISIL (Da’esh) under the pretext of importing and exporting food items, supporting militias fighting alongside the regime and taking advantage of its ties with the regime to expand its commercial activity, Al Qatarji Company – whose board is headed by designated person Hussam al-Qatirji, a member of the Syrian People’s Assembly – supports and benefits from the Syrian regime.


17.2.2020




 


 


Ultimate beneficial owner: Hussam al-Qatirji (designated by the Council);
Registered address: Mazzah, Damascus, Syria;
Relatives/business associates/entities or partners/links: Arvada/Arfada Petroleum Company JSC


 


 




78.


Damascus Cham Holding Company
(a.k.a. Damascus Cham Private Joint Stock Company)
(القابضة الشام دمشق)


Type of entity: public-owned company under private law;
Business sector: real estate development;
Name of Director/Management: Adel Anwar al-Olabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Governor of Damascus (designated by the Council);
Ultimate beneficial owner: Governorate of Damascus;


Damascus Cham Holding Company was established by the regime as the investment arm of the Governorate of Damascus in order to manage the properties of the Governorate of Damascus and implement the Marota City project, a luxurious real estate project based on expropriated land under Decree No 66 and Law No 10 in particular.
By managing the implementation of Marota City, Damascus Cham Holding (whose Chairman is the Governor of Damascus) supports and benefits from the Syrian regime and provides benefits to businesspeople with close ties to the regime who have struck lucrative deals with this entity through public-private partnerships.


17.2.2020’.




 


 


Relatives/business associates/entities or partners/links: Rami Makhlouf (designated by the Council); Samer Foz (designated by the Council); Mazen Tarazi (designated by the Council); Talas Group, owned by businessman Anas Talas (designated by the Council);Khaled al-Zubaidi (designated by the Council); Nader Qalei (designated by the Council)