On 19 December, the EU published Council Decision 2014/932/CFSP and Regulation 1352/2014 in relation to the situation in Yemen. The measures came into force immediately upon publication.
The new measures impose an asset freeze on three individuals: Abdullah Yahya Al Hakim, Abd Al-Khaliq Al-Huthi and Ali Abdullah Saleh. These individuals were designated on the basis that they have engaged in acts which threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen.
These measures follow the decision in November by the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the same individuals pursuant to Resolution 2140 (2014).
The provisions in the Decision and Regulation are consistent with the asset freezes imposed in relation to other EU sanctions regimes. EU-incorporated companies and nationals of EU member states are prohibited from dealing with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by the designated persons, and from making funds or economic resources available to them or for their benefit. Member states may grant licences releasing frozen funds in certain circumstances.
Breach of the asset freezing provisions is criminalised in the UK by the Yemen (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2014.
Key contacts
Andrew Cannon
Partner, Global Co-Head of International Arbitration and of Public International Law, London
Christian Leathley
Partner, Co-Head of the Latin America Group, Co-Head of the Public International Law Group, US Head of International Arbitration, London
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