EU hits Roman Abramovich with sanctions in new action against Russia
The EU has imposed sanctions on the boss of anti-war protester Marina Ovsyannikova at Russia’s Channel One along with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for his “very good relations with Vladimir Putin”.
Konstantin Ernst, the chief executive of the state-controlled TV channel, and Chelsea football club’s owner are among 15 individuals newly targeted by the EU.
Along with the extended list of individuals on whom asset freeze and travel bans are imposed, to be published later on Tuesday, the EU is also banning investments in Russia’s energy sector, as well as exports of finished steel products and most luxury goods, such as precious stones, clothes and carpets, over the value of €300 (£252) and cars worth more than €50,000.
There is also a complete transaction ban with nine Russian state-owned enterprises and the EU has prohibited the rating of the country and its companies by credit rating agencies.
Brussels has made a discernible effort to squeeze individuals and entities that have aided Putin in spreading his message about the invasion of Ukraine.
RT and Sputnik have already been prohibited from broadcasting within the 27 member states and the inclusion of Ernst and a presenter, Artyom Sheynin, in the EU list has added poignancy after the protest by his colleague on Monday evening.
Ovsyannikova, an editor at Channel One, had burst on to the set of the live broadcast of the nightly news, shouting: “Stop the war. No to war.”
She also held a sign saying: “Don’t believe the propaganda. They’re lying to you here.” It was signed in English: “Russians against the war.” She has been arrested and her whereabouts are unknown.
The EU’s legal text on its fourth round of sanctions describes Ernst as being “responsible for organising and
Read more on theguardian.com
