13/10/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 13 October, the Council of the European Union extended the restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons for another year, until 16 October 2023. 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. Two entities are also subject to an asset freeze: the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), the Syrian regime’s main entity for the development of chemical weapons, and the Russian Scientific Research Institute (GosNIIOKhT). This sanctions regime has been in place since October 2018 (see EUROPE 12117/16). (CG)