Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1035 of 25 May 2023 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Date: 2023-05-25
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Syria, economic sanctions, international sanctions, natural person




L_2023139EN.01004901.xml










26.5.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 139/49








            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1035
of 25 May 2023
         
amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in 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 30 May 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/849 (2) extending the restrictive measures set out in Decision 2013/255/CFSP until 1 June 2023.












(3)


On the basis of a review of Decision 2013/255/CFSP, the restrictive measures set out therein should be extended until 1 June 2024.












(4)


The entries for two 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. The entries for 19 natural persons in that list should be updated and amended.












(5)


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 2024. 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 in accordance with 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, 25 May 2023.


For the Council


The President

J. FORSSELL
            





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

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/849 of 30 May 2022 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria (OJ L 148, 31.5.2022, p. 52).




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






(1)


in section ‘A. Persons’, the following two entries are deleted:






122.


Dr Fayssal ABBAS;










161.


Dr Mohamad Zafer MOHABAK;














(2)


in section ‘A. Persons’, entries 5, 8, 12, 50, 51, 74, 107, 119, 120, 121, 192, 271, 284, 285, 290, 291, 324, 325, and 326 are replaced by the following:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘5.


Hafiz (

) MAKHLOUF (

)
(a.k.a. Hafez Makhlouf)


Date of birth: 2.4.1971;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Diplomatic passport No 014637352;
Gender: male


Former Colonel and Head of Unit in General Intelligence Directorate, Damascus Branch in post after May 2011. Member of the Makhlouf family; cousin of President Bashar al-Assad.


9.5.2011




8.

Rami (



) MAKHLOUF (



)

Date of birth: 10.7.1969;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Passport No 000098044;
Issue No 002-03-0015187;
Gender: male


Leading businessman operating in Syria with interests in the financial services, transport and property sectors. He has financial interests in and/or holds senior and executive positions in the investment funds Al Mashreq, Bena Properties and Cham Holding.
He furnishes financing and support to the Syrian regime, through his business interests.
He is an influential member of the Makhlouf family and closely connected to the Assad family; cousin of President Bashar Al-Assad.


9.5.2011




12.


Ghazwan Rifaat Kheir BEK
(a.k.a. Ghazqan Kheir Bek)


Date of birth: 10.3.1961;
Place of birth: Al-Shamiyah, Latakia, Syria;
ID Number: 06010037444;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Transport in power after May 2011 (appointed 27.8.2014). He was previously General Director of the Port of Tartous. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.


21.10.2014




50.


Tarif (

) AKHRAS (

)
(a.k.a. Al Akhras (

))


Date of birth: 2.6.1951;
Place of birth: Homs, Syria;
Syrian passport No 0000092405;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria. He is the founder of the Akhras Group (commodities, trading, processing and logistics) and former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce. Close business relations with President Bashar al-Assad’s family. Former member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce. Provided logistical support for the regime (buses and tank loaders). He is therefore benefiting from and supporting the Syrian regime.


2.9.2011




51.

Issam (



) ANBOUBA (



)

President of Anbouba for Agricultural Industries Co.;
Date of birth: 1952;
Place of birth: Homs, Syria;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson active in different sectors of the Syrian economy, such as agriculture, real estate and banking. Financial relations with high-ranking Syrian officials. Co-founder of Cham Holding.


2.9.2011




74.


Mohammad Walid GHAZAL


Date of birth: 1.11.1951;
Place of birth: Aleppo, Syria;
Syrian National ID Number: 02020332623;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Housing and Urban Development (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




107.


Mohammad Ibrahim AL-SHA’AR


Date of birth: 1.10.1956;
Place of birth: Al-Haffah, Latakia, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of the Interior. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population. Vice Chair of the National Progressive Front of Syria.


1.12.2011




119.

Sufian (



) ALLAW (



)

Date of birth: 8.2.1944;
Place of birth: al-Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources. Associated with the Syrian regime and its violent repression of the civilian population.


27.2.2012




120.

Dr Adnan (



) SLAKHO (



)

Date of birth: 7.9.1955;
Place of birth: Al-Malihah, Rif Dimashq, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Industry. Former Minister of Education and current business development consultant in the Ministry of Local Administration. Associated with the Syrian regime and its violent repression of the civilian population.


27.2.2012




121.

Dr Saleh (



) AL-RASHED (



)

Date of birth: 1.8.1964;
Place of birth: Aleppo Province, Syria;
Gender: male


Former Minister of Education and current Head of the International Relations Department at the Faculty of International Relations and Diplomacy at Al-Sham Private University. Associated with the Syrian regime and its violent repression of the civilian population.


27.2.2012




192.


Hashim Anwar AL-AQQAD
(a.k.a. Hashem Aqqad, Hashem Akkad, Hashim Akkad)


Date of birth: 8.8.1961;
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
Syrian National ID Number: 01020018085;
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 Anwar Akkad Sons Group (AASG) and its subsidiary United Oil. AASG is a conglomerate with interests in sectors such as oil, gas, chemicals, insurance, industrial machinery, real estate, tourism, exhibitions, contracting, insurance and medical equipment. He is also a co-founder of a leading security firm (ProGuard).
Hashim Anwar al-Aqqad also worked as a member of the Syrian Parliament as recently as 2012.
Hashim Anwar Al-Aqqad could not have remained successful without assistance from the regime. Given the extent of his business and political ties to the regime, he provides support to and benefits from the Syrian regime.


23.7.2014




271.


Khaled AL-ZUBAIDI
(a.k.a. (Mohammed) Khaled/Khalid (Bassam) (al-) Zubaidi/Zubedi)
(خالد الزبيدي)


Nationality: Syrian;
Position: Co-owner of Zubaidi and Qalei LLC; Director of Agar Investment Company; General Manager of Al Zubaidi company and Al Zubaidi & Al Taweet Contracting Company; Director and Owner of Zubaidi Development Company; co-owner of Enjaz Investment Company;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with significant investments in the construction industry, including a 50 % stake in Zubaidi and Qalei LLC, which is constructing the luxury tourist city Grand Town and to which the regime has granted a 45-year agreement in return for 19-21 % of its revenue. Khaled al-Zubaidi benefits from and/or supports the Syrian regime through his business activities, in particular through this stake in the Grand Town development.
Khaled al-Zubaidi signed a (350 000  USD worth) sponsorship with a Syrian football club “Wihda FC” through one of his companies “Hijaz Company”. Member of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Tourism since 2019. President of the Syrian-Algerian Business Council.


21.1.2019




284.


Mazin AL-TARAZI
(a.k.a. 

; Mazen al-Tarazi)
(مازن الترزي)


Date of birth: September 1962;
Nationality: Syrian;
Position: Businessperson;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with significant investments in the construction and aviation sectors. Through his investments and activities, Mazin al-Tarazi benefits from and/or supports the Syrian regime. In particular, Mazin al-Tarazi has concluded a deal with Damascus Cham Holding for a USD 320 million investment in the construction of Marota City, a regime-backed luxury residential and commercial development. He has also been granted a licence for a private airline in Syria. In September 2019, he created “al-Dana Group Investments LLC”, a 25 million SYP company involved in export-import and investing in tourism facilities and commercial complexes. Mazin Al-Tarazi is a member of the Syrian-Iranian Business Council (SIBC) and served as an intermediary for the Iranian regime to purchase real estate in Syria.


21.1.2019




285.


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


Date of birth: 20.5.1973;
Place of birth: Homs, 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;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and activities in multiple sectors of Syria’s economy. 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.
Samer Foz opened a sugar refining factory (“Samer Foz Factory”) in 2021 in support of the Syrian regime’s objective to increase sugar production across the country.


21.1.2019




290.


Waseem AL-KATTAN
(وسيم القطان)
(a.k.a. Waseem, Wasseem, Wassim, Wasim; Anouar; al-Kattan, al-Katan, al-Qattan, al-Qatan; وسيم قطان, وسيم أنوار القطان)


Date of birth: 4.3.1976;
Nationality: Syrian;
Syrian National ID Number: 10090110187
Position: President of Damascus Countryside (Rural) Province Chamber of Commerce;
Relatives/business associates/entities or partners/links:
Larosa Furniture/Furnishing; Jasmine Fields Company Ltd.; Muruj Cham (Murooj al-Cham) Investment and Tourism Group; Adam and Investment LLC; Universal Market Company LLC; Treasurer of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce;
Gender: male


Leading businessperson operating in Syria benefiting from and supporting the regime. Owner of multiple businesses and holding companies with interests and activities in various economic sectors such as real estate, the luxury hotel industry and commercial centres. Waseem al-Kattan rose rapidly as a leading businessperson by imposing taxes on goods smuggled into Eastern Ghouta under siege, and is now involved in aggressive forms of clientelism to the benefit of the regime. Waseem al-Kattan benefits financially from favoured access to public tenders as well as to licences and contracts awarded by government agencies as a result of his close ties to the regime.
In 2020, Al-Kattan was elected member of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce. In November 2021, Al-Kattan was appointed secretary of the Federation of Syrian chambers of commerce by the Syrian Government, despite having lost elections. In 2022, Al-Kattan was appointed Chairman of the Syrian-Omani Business Council.


17.2.2020




291.


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


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


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.
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




324.


Ahmed KHALIL KHALIL
(a.k.a. Ahmed KHALIL, Ahmad Khalil Khalil)
(احمد خليل خليل)


Date of birth: 1969;
Place of birth: Qayrun;
Gender: male


Ahmed Khalil Khalil is the co-owner of Sanad Protection and Security Services, a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group in Syria, active in the protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites) in Syria. The exploitation of natural resources provides revenues to the Syrian regime. In addition, the company is active in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and Ukraine.
As such, Ahmed Khalil Khalil supports the Syrian regime and benefits from it.


21.7.2022




325.


Nasser Deeb DEEB
(a.k.a. Nasser Dhib, Nasser Dib, Nasser Deeb)
(ناصر ديب)


Date of birth: 21.2.1974;
Place of birth: Baniyas, Tartus, Syria;
Syrian National ID Number: 10090110187;
Gender: male


Nasser Deeb Deeb is the co-owner of Sanad Protection and Security Services, a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group, active in the protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites) in Syria. The exploitation of natural resources provides revenues to the Syrian regime. In addition, he is also co-owner of the company Ella Services together with Khodr Ali Taher.
In this capacity, Nasser Deeb Deeb supports the Syrian regime and benefits from it.


21.7.2022




326.


Issam SHAMMOUT
(a.k.a. Mohammed Issam Shammout, Mohamed Essam Shammout, Muhammad Issam Shammout, Muhammad Essam Shammout)
(محمد عصام شموط)


Date of birth: 26.8.1971
Place of birth: 232, Tanzeem Kafarsus, Damascus, Syria
Gender: male


Issam Shammout is the owner and chairman of the board of directors of the airline “Cham Wings” and head of the Shammout Group, active in the automotive, steel, aviation, freight forwarding, construction, and real estate sectors.
In this capacity, Issam Shammout is a leading businessperson operating in Syria.


21.7.2022’.