Both Balandina and Gordeev are responsible for serious human rights violations, the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition, and the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Russia. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the EU’s swift restrictive measures demonstrate that politically motivated charges against Europeans result in immediate and direct accountability.
Tsahkna stated that both Balandina and Gordeev are directly responsible for the judicial persecution of the Director of the Narva Museum, Maria Smorževskihh-Smirnova, as well as of other representatives of civil society, the democratic opposition and human rights defenders. “For years, both have contributed to the spread of Russian propaganda, the entrenchment of Putin’s oppressive regime, and violations of freedom of expression and human rights, and the EU’s decision to impose sanctions on them was the only right course.”
“People who support and implement the Russian regime’s cruel and authoritarian policies have no place in Europe,” Tsahkna said.
Under the EU sanctions regime established in May last year, individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations, or for the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition, as well as for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia, can be added to the list.
Estonia imposed national sanctions on Balandina and Gordeev in October.
