11/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Council of the European Union decided on Monday 11 October to extend for one year, until 16 October 2022, the regime allowing the EU to impose restrictive measures against persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons. Nine people are currently sanctioned (visa ban and asset freeze) under this regime: five linked to the Syrian regime, four Russians involved in the Salisbury attack using the nerve agent Novichok and six Russians involved in the poisoning of the opponent Alexei Navalny. The Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the Syrian regime’s main entity for the development of chemical weapons, and the RussianScientific Research Institute (GosNIIOKhT) are also subject to an asset freeze. This sanctions regime has been in place since October 2018 (see EUROPE 12117/16). More info at: https://bit.ly/3BAuwY2 (CG)