Ex-Ukraine President: Court overturns Yanukovych sanctions

An EU court has nullified the 2020 extension of sanctions against ex-Ukrainian President Yanukovych. There are doubts as to whether his defense rights in Ukraine have been adequately protected.

The 2020 extension of EU sanctions against former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his son is void. This was stated by the Court of the European Union in Luxembourg.

For the time being, however, the verdict does not have any concrete effects, as there is a new decision to extend the sanctions for this year.

Court complains about insufficient legal protection

In its reasoning, the EU court complained that the Council of the EU had not sufficiently examined whether the rights of defense and the right to effective judicial protection in Ukraine were observed.

In March 2014, shortly after Yanukovych was deposed, the EU froze assets in the EU. The reason for the punitive measures were indications that Yanukovych, his son and other people had embezzled public funds or abused their offices.

The EU court had already declared the sanction extensions from 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 null and void for similar reasons. The most recent sanctions decision against Yanukovych and his son was issued in early March this year. It is still valid.

Yanukovych sentenced to imprisonment

The pro-Russian president was overthrown in February 2014 during the Maidan protests. In his homeland, Yanukovych has now been sentenced in absentia to 13 years in prison for treason.

Ukrainian media recently reported that the Kremlin wanted to reinstate the 71-year-old as president in the wake of the war against Ukraine.