On 16 August 2023, on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Czech Government approved the inclusion of three more entities on the national sanctions list. The national sanctions will thus be placed upon a Russian businessman who supplies weapons systems to the Russian regime and his relatives who personally benefit from such ties. The MFA also proposes to add these three entities to the EU sanctions lists.
“The Russian oligarch responsible for the production of missiles that kill innocent Ukrainians must face the consequences. Just like those who enjoy a life of luxury in Czechia with money from the merchants of death. I am pleased that the Czech government has approved the inclusion of three more people on the national sanctions list,” explained Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.
Boris Obnosov is the CEO of the state-owned KTRV holding company, which produces weapons systems and supplies them to the armed forces of the Putin regime. Two other people—the Zorikovs—have personally benefited from family ties to Obnosov. They own and use luxury properties and cars in the Czech Republic.
The condition for inclusion on the national sanctions list is based upon the subject having committed or currently committing acts that are sanctionable under one of the EU sanctions regimes with such action being in the foreign policy or security interests of the Czech Republic. In this particular case, there is thorough documentation of activities that undermine or threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.
Inclusion on the national sanctions list means that restrictive measures, such as a banning entering or staying in the Czech Republic, preventing the person from obtaining funds in the Czech Republic, or freezing assets, have begun to apply against the person in question, which is the responsibility of the Financial Analytical Office. The latter checks whether a person on the sanctions list has assets in the Czech Republic.
The MFA worked with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the police, and intelligence services to include these names.
