Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1035 of 25 May 2023 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

EN

26.5.2023

Official Journal of the European Union

L 139/49

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/1035

of 25 May 2023

amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).

(2)

On 30 May 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/849 (2) extending the restrictive measures set out in

Decision 2013/255/CFSP until 1 June 2023.

(3)

On the basis of a review of Decision 2013/255/CFSP, the restrictive measures set out therein should be extended

until 1 June 2024.

(4)

The entries for two deceased individuals should be deleted from the list of natural and legal persons, entities or

bodies set out in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP. The entries for 19 natural persons in that list should be

updated and amended.

(5)

Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:

(1) Article 34 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 34

This Decision shall apply until 1 June 2024. It shall be kept under constant review. It may be renewed, or amended as

appropriate, if the Council deems that its objectives have not been met.’;

(2) Annex I is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(1) Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria (OJ L 147,

1.6.2013, p. 14).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/849 of 30 May 2022 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria

(OJ L 148, 31.5.2022, p. 52).

L 139/50

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.5.2023

Done at Brussels, 25 May 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. FORSSELL

26.5.2023

ANNEX

Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:

EN

(1) in section ‘A. Persons’, the following two entries are deleted:

122. Dr Fayssal ABBAS;

161. Dr Mohamad Zafer MOHABAK;

Name

Identifying information

)

Reasons

Date of listing

Date of birth: 2.4.1971;

Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;

Diplomatic passport No 014637352;

Gender: male

Former Colonel and Head of Unit in General Intelligence

Directorate, Damascus Branch in post after May 2011. Member of

the Makhlouf family; cousin of President Bashar al-Assad.

9.5.2011

Hafiz ( ) MAKHLOUF (

(a.k.a. Hafez Makhlouf)

8.

Rami ( ) MAKHLOUF ( )

Date of birth: 10.7.1969;

Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;

Passport No 000098044;

Issue No 002-03-0015187;

Gender: male

Leading businessman operating in Syria with interests in the

financial services, transport and property sectors. He has financial

interests in and/or holds senior and executive positions in the

investment funds Al Mashreq, Bena Properties and Cham Holding.

He furnishes financing and support to the Syrian regime, through

his business interests.

He is an influential member of the Makhlouf family and closely

connected to the Assad family; cousin of President Bashar Al-Assad.

9.5.2011

12.

Ghazwan Rifaat Kheir BEK

(a.k.a. Ghazqan Kheir Bek)

Date of birth: 10.3.1961;

Place of birth: Al-Shamiyah, Latakia, Syria;

ID Number: 06010037444;

Gender: male

Former Minister of Transport in power after May 2011 (appointed

27.8.2014). He was previously General Director of the Port of

Tartous. As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility for

the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.

21.10.2014

50.

Tarif ( ) AKHRAS ( )

(a.k.a. Al Akhras ( ))

Date of birth: 2.6.1951;

Place of birth: Homs, Syria;

Syrian passport No 0000092405;

Gender: male

Leading businessperson operating in Syria. He is the founder of the

Akhras Group (commodities, trading, processing and logistics) and

former Chairman of the Homs Chamber of Commerce. Close

business relations with President Bashar al-Assad’s family. Former

member of the Board of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of

Commerce. Provided logistical support for the regime (buses and

tank loaders). He is therefore benefiting from and supporting the

Syrian regime.

2.9.2011

L 139/51

‘5.

Official Journal of the European Union

(2) in section ‘A. Persons’, entries 5, 8, 12, 50, 51, 74, 107, 119, 120, 121, 192, 271, 284, 285, 290, 291, 324, 325, and 326 are replaced by the following:

Identifying information

)

President of Anbouba for Agricultural

Industries Co.;

Date of birth: 1952;

Place of birth: Homs, Syria;

Gender: male

Reasons

Date of listing

Leading businessperson active in different sectors of the Syrian

economy, such as agriculture, real estate and banking. Financial

relations with high-ranking Syrian officials. Co-founder of Cham

Holding.

2.9.2011

Issam ( ) ANBOUBA (

74.

Mohammad Walid GHAZAL

Former Minister of Housing and Urban Development (appointed

Date of birth: 1.11.1951;

Place of birth: Aleppo, Syria;

27.8.2014). As a former Government Minister, shares responsibility

Syrian National ID Number: 02020332623; for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of the civilian population.

Gender: male

21.10.2014

107.

Mohammad Ibrahim AL-SHA’AR

Date of birth: 1.10.1956;

Place of birth: Al-Haffah, Latakia, Syria;

Gender: male

Former Minister of the Interior. As a former Government Minister,

shares responsibility for the Syrian regime’s violent repression of

the civilian population. Vice Chair of the National Progressive Front

of Syria.

1.12.2011

119.

Sufian (

Date of birth: 8.2.1944;

Former Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources. Associated with the

Place of birth: al-Bukamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria; Syrian regime and its violent repression of the civilian population.

Gender: male

27.2.2012

120.

Dr Adnan (

) SLAKHO (

Date of birth: 7.9.1955;

Place of birth: Al-Malihah, Rif Dimashq,

Syria;

Gender: male

Former Minister of Industry. Former Minister of Education and

current business development consultant in the Ministry of Local

Administration. Associated with the Syrian regime and its violent

repression of the civilian population.

27.2.2012

121.

Dr Saleh (

) AL-RASHED (

Date of birth: 1.8.1964;

Place of birth: Aleppo Province, Syria;

Gender: male

Former Minister of Education and current Head of the International

Relations Department at the Faculty of International Relations and

Diplomacy at Al-Sham Private University. Associated with the

Syrian regime and its violent repression of the civilian population.

27.2.2012

192.

Hashim Anwar AL-AQQAD

(a.k.a. Hashem Aqqad, Hashem Akkad,

Hashim Akkad)

Date of birth: 8.8.1961;

Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and/or

Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;

activities in multiple sectors of Syria’s economy. He holds interests

Syrian National ID Number: 01020018085; in and/or has significant influence in Anwar Akkad Sons Group

Gender: male

(AASG) and its subsidiary United Oil. AASG is a conglomerate with

interests in sectors such as oil, gas, chemicals, insurance, industrial

machinery, real estate, tourism, exhibitions, contracting, insurance

and medical equipment. He is also a co-founder of a leading security

firm (ProGuard).

23.7.2014

EN

51.

L 139/52

Name

)

)

)

Official Journal of the European Union

) ALLAW (

26.5.2023

Identifying information

Reasons

Date of listing

EN

Hashim Anwar al-Aqqad also worked as a member of the Syrian

Parliament as recently as 2012.

Hashim Anwar Al-Aqqad could not have remained successful

without assistance from the regime. Given the extent of his business

and political ties to the regime, he provides support to and benefits

from the Syrian regime.

Khaled AL-ZUBAIDI

(a.k.a. (Mohammed) Khaled/Khalid

(Bassam) (al-) Zubaidi/Zubedi)

(‫)ﺧﺎﻟﺪ ﺍﻟﺰﺑﻴﺪﻱ‬

Nationality: Syrian;

Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with significant

Position: Co-owner of Zubaidi and Qalei

investments in the construction industry, including a 50 % stake in

LLC; Director of Agar Investment Company; Zubaidi and Qalei LLC, which is constructing the luxury tourist city

General Manager of Al Zubaidi company and Grand Town and to which the regime has granted a 45-year

Al Zubaidi & Al Taweet Contracting

agreement in return for 19-21 % of its revenue. Khaled al-Zubaidi

Company; Director and Owner of Zubaidi benefits from and/or supports the Syrian regime through his

Development Company; co-owner of Enjaz business activities, in particular through this stake in the Grand

Investment Company;

Town development.

Gender: male

Khaled al-Zubaidi signed a (350 000 USD worth) sponsorship with

a Syrian football club “Wihda FC” through one of his companies

“Hijaz Company”. Member of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of

Tourism since 2019. President of the Syrian-Algerian Business

Council.

21.1.2019

284.

Mazin AL-TARAZI

(a.k.a.

; Mazen al-Tarazi)

(‫)ﻣﺎﺯﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﺮﺯﻱ‬

Date of birth: September 1962;

Nationality: Syrian;

Position: Businessperson;

Gender: male

21.1.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

271.

Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with significant

investments in the construction and aviation sectors. Through his

investments and activities, Mazin al-Tarazi benefits from and/or

supports the Syrian regime. In particular, Mazin al-Tarazi has

concluded a deal with Damascus Cham Holding for a USD 320

million investment in the construction of Marota City, a regimebacked luxury residential and commercial development. He has also

been granted a licence for a private airline in Syria. In September

2019, he created “al-Dana Group Investments LLC”, a 25 million

SYP company involved in export-import and investing in tourism

facilities and commercial complexes. Mazin Al-Tarazi is a member

of the Syrian-Iranian Business Council (SIBC) and served as an

intermediary for the Iranian regime to purchase real estate in Syria.

26.5.2023

Name

L 139/53

Reasons

Date of listing

285.

Samer FOZ

(a.k.a. Samir Foz/Fawz; Samer Zuhair

Foz; Samer Foz bin Zuhair)

(‫)ﺳﺎﻣﺮ ﻓﻮﺯ‬

Date of birth: 20.5.1973;

Place of birth: Homs, Syria;

Nationalities: Syrian, Turkish;

Turkish Passport number: U 09471711

(place of issue Turkey; expiry date

21.7.2024);

Syrian national number: 06010274705;

Address: Platinum Tower, office No 2405,

Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, UAE;

Gender: male

Leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and

activities in multiple sectors of Syria’s economy. Samer Foz provides

financial and other support to the Syrian regime, including funding

the Military Security Shield Forces in Syria and brokering grain

deals. He also benefits financially from access to commercial

opportunities through the wheat trade and reconstruction projects

as a result of his links to the regime.

Samer Foz opened a sugar refining factory (“Samer Foz Factory”)

in 2021 in support of the Syrian regime’s objective to increase sugar

production across the country.

21.1.2019

290.

Waseem AL-KATTAN

(‫)ﻭﺳﻴﻢ ﺍﻟﻘﻄﺎﻥ‬

(a.k.a. Waseem, Wasseem, Wassim,

Wasim; Anouar; al-Kattan, al-Katan,

al-Qattan, al-Qatan;

‫ ﻭﺳﻴﻢ ﺃﻧﻮﺍﺭ ﺍﻟﻘﻄﺎﻥ‬,‫)ﻭﺳﻴﻢ ﻗﻄﺎﻥ‬

Date of birth: 4.3.1976;

Leading businessperson operating in Syria benefiting from and

Nationality: Syrian;

supporting the regime. Owner of multiple businesses and holding

Syrian National ID Number: 10090110187 companies with interests and activities in various economic sectors

Position: President of Damascus Countryside such as real estate, the luxury hotel industry and commercial

(Rural) Province Chamber of Commerce;

centres. Waseem al-Kattan rose rapidly as a leading businessperson

Relatives/business associates/entities

by imposing taxes on goods smuggled into Eastern Ghouta under

or partners/links:

siege, and is now involved in aggressive forms of clientelism to the

Larosa Furniture/Furnishing; Jasmine Fields benefit of the regime. Waseem al-Kattan benefits financially from

Company Ltd.; Muruj Cham (Murooj

favoured access to public tenders as well as to licences and contracts

al-Cham) Investment and Tourism Group; awarded by government agencies as a result of his close ties to the

Adam and Investment LLC; Universal Market regime.

Company LLC; Treasurer of the Federation of In 2020, Al-Kattan was elected member of the Damascus Chamber

Syrian Chambers of Commerce;

of Commerce. In November 2021, Al-Kattan was appointed

Gender: male

secretary of the Federation of Syrian chambers of commerce by the

Syrian Government, despite having lost elections. In 2022,

Al-Kattan was appointed Chairman of the Syrian-Omani Business

Council.

17.2.2020

EN

Identifying information

L 139/54

Name

Official Journal of the European Union

26.5.2023

Identifying information

Reasons

Date of listing

Amer FOZ

(a.k.a. Amer Zuhair Fawz)

(‫)ﻋﺎﻣﺮ ﻓﻮﺯ‬

Date of birth: 11.3.1976;

Leading businessperson with personal and family business interests

Place of birth: Homs, Syria;

and activities in multiple sectors of the Syrian economy. He benefits

Nationality: Syrian; Saint Kitts and Nevis;

financially from access to commercial opportunities and supports

National no: 06010274747;

the Syrian regime.

Passport no: 002-14-L169340

He is also associated with his brother Samer Foz, who has been

UAE resident card: 784-1976-7135283-5 designated by the Council since January 2019 as a leading

Position: Founder of District 6 Company;

businessperson operating in Syria and for supporting or benefiting

Founding partner of Easy life Company;

from the regime. Together with his brother, he implements a

Relatives/business associates/entities

number of commercial projects, notably in the Adra al-Ummaliyya

or partners/links: Samer Foz; Vice Chairman area (Damascus suburbs). These projects include a factory that

of Asas Steel Company; Aman Holding;

manufactures cables and cable accessories as well as a project to

Gender: male

produce electricity using solar power. They also engaged in various

activities with ISIL (Da’esh) on behalf of the Assad regime, including

the provision of weapons and ammunitions in exchange for wheat

and oil.

17.2.2020

324.

Ahmed KHALIL KHALIL

(a.k.a. Ahmed KHALIL, Ahmad Khalil

Khalil)

(‫)ﺍﺣﻤﺪ ﺧﻠﻴﻞ ﺧﻠﻴﻞ‬

Date of birth: 1969;

Place of birth: Qayrun;

Gender: male

Ahmed Khalil Khalil is the co-owner of Sanad Protection and

Security Services, a Syrian private security company established

in 2017 and supervised by the Wagner Group in Syria, active in the

protection of Russian interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil

sites) in Syria. The exploitation of natural resources provides

revenues to the Syrian regime. In addition, the company is active in

the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and Ukraine.

As such, Ahmed Khalil Khalil supports the Syrian regime and

benefits from it.

21.7.2022

325.

Nasser Deeb DEEB

(a.k.a. Nasser Dhib, Nasser Dib, Nasser

Deeb)

(‫)ﻧﺎﺻﺮ ﺩﻳﺐ‬

Date of birth: 21.2.1974;

Nasser Deeb Deeb is the co-owner of Sanad Protection and Security

Place of birth: Baniyas, Tartus, Syria;

Services, a Syrian private security company established in 2017 and

Syrian National ID Number: 10090110187; supervised by the Wagner Group, active in the protection of Russian

Gender: male

interests (phosphates, gas and securing oil sites) in Syria. The

exploitation of natural resources provides revenues to the Syrian

regime. In addition, he is also co-owner of the company Ella

Services together with Khodr Ali Taher.

In this capacity, Nasser Deeb Deeb supports the Syrian regime and

benefits from it.

21.7.2022

EN

291.

26.5.2023

Name

Official Journal of the European Union

L 139/55

326.

Date of birth: 26.8.1971

Place of birth: 232, Tanzeem Kafarsus,

Damascus, Syria

Gender: male

Reasons

Date of listing

Issam Shammout is the owner and chairman of the board of

directors of the airline “Cham Wings” and head of the Shammout

Group, active in the automotive, steel, aviation, freight forwarding,

construction, and real estate sectors.

In this capacity, Issam Shammout is a leading businessperson

operating in Syria.

21.7.2022’.

EN

Issam SHAMMOUT

(a.k.a. Mohammed Issam Shammout,

Mohamed Essam Shammout,

Muhammad Issam Shammout,

Muhammad Essam Shammout)

(‫)ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻋﺼﺎﻡ ﺷﻤﻮﻁ‬

Identifying information

L 139/56

Name

Official Journal of the European Union

26.5.2023

قرار من مجلس الاتحاد الأوروبي بتمديد العقوبات على سورية حتى 1 حزيران/ يونيو 2024 وتعديل بيانات المشمولين.