The Council of the European Union has lifted the sanctions on ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr that had been imposed against them for “embezzlement of Ukrainian state funds or abuse of authority” in March 2014, states a new entry in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Ex-Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Pshonka and his son Artem have also been excluded from the sanctions list.
Furthermore, restrictive measures against Yanukovych and his son will remain within the framework of another EU sanctions regime. On 4 August 2022, EU introduced new sanctions against Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr for “the role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and the state’s stability and security”. The Council of the European Union based its decision on “pro-Russian politics” of Yanukovych during his presidency (2010-2014).
The 2014 sanctions were imposed on Yanukovych based on a criminal case opened against him in Ukraine — he was accused of embezzling state funds and illegally transferring them outside of Ukraine.
In Ukraine, there are several criminal cases opened against the ex-president, among them a high treason charge. Under the high treason case, he could face up to 15 years behind bars. In 2019, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison in absentia for “aiding in the conduct of an aggressive war”.
