Syria crisis: EU slaps sanctions on several people and organisations propping up Assad regime

A businessman who acts as an oil & gas middleman between Isis and Assad is among those who had assets frozen and were banned from entering Europe

Among those who had assets frozen and were banned from entering Europe are a businessman who acts as an oil&gas middleman between Isis and the Assad regime, and chemical-weapon attack organisers. (Getty Images)

Sanctions were imposed by the EU today on seven people and six organisations identified as propping up Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

Among those who had assets frozen and were banned from entering Europe are a businessman who acts as an oil & gas middleman between Isis and the Assad regime, and chemical-weapon attack organisers.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, said the sanctions are intended in part to highlight the links between Isis and President Assad as he attempts to remain in power. He said: “This listing gives yet another indication that Assad’s “war” on Isis is a sham and that he supports them financially.

“These sanctions show that EU is united in its condemnation of Assad’s brutal policies. We will continue applying pressure to the regime until it reassesses its position, ends the violence and engages in meaningful negotiations with the moderate opposition.”

The people and organisations targetted by the latest EU measure will be named publicly today and are in addition to 211 people and 63 organisations already subject to EU sanctions.

The European Council said the EU would maintain sanctions for “as long as repression continues”.