Press Release: Judgment in Case T-290/14 Andriy Portnov v Council

The General Court of the ECJ decided on 26 October 2015 to set aside the freeze on the funds of Andriy Portnow, one-time adviser to the former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

The court considered that a person cannot be considered responsible for the misappropriation of funds merely because he is the subject of a preliminary investigation.

In response to the Ukrainian crisis which began in late 2013, the Council of the European Union decided, on 5 March 2014, to freeze the funds and economic resources of persons who had been identified as responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian State funds and/or for human rights violations in Ukraine.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU freezes misappropriated Ukrainian state funds http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-freezes-misappropriated-ukrainian-state-funds/

EurActiv, 27.10.15: Ukraine ex-adviser wins EU court case against sanctions http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/ukraine-ex-adviser-wins-eu-court-case-against-sanctions-318885

EUObserver, 27.10.15: Ukraine ruling prompts EU rethink on sanctions https://euobserver.com/foreign/130854

Politico, 26.10.15: EU suffers major court defeat on Ukraine sanctions http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-suffers-major-court-defeat-on-ukraine-sanctions/

The Wall Street Journal, 26.10.15: EU Court Raises Fresh Doubts Over Bloc’s Sanctions http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-court-raises-fresh-doubts-over-blocs-sanctions-1445887443

Interfax, 27.10.15: Portnov claims he wins court hearing against EU Council on personal sanctions http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/299513.html

ESO: Background information: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

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