Official Journal of the European Union

Series C

—

C/2024/1398

19.2.2024

(Case C-711/23 P)

(C/2024/1398)

Language of the case: English

Parties

Appellant: Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov (represented by: D. Rovetta, M. Campa, M. Moretto, V. Villante, and M. Pirovano, avvocati)

Other party to the proceedings: Council of the European Union

Form of order sought

The appellant claims that the Court should:

—set aside the judgment under appeal;

—annul:

i.Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/429 (1) of 15 March 2022 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine;

ii.Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/427 (2) of 15 March 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in so far as they include the appellant in the list of persons and entities made subject to the restrictive measures;

iii.Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1530 (3) of 14 September 2022, amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine;

iv.Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1529 (4) of 14 September 2022, implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in so far as they include the Appellant in the list of persons and entities made subject to the restrictive measures;

v.Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/572 (5) of 13 March 2023 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine;

vi.Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/571 (6) of 13 March 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in so far as they include the Appellant in the list of persons and entities made subject to restrictive measures;

—alternatively, set aside the judgment under appeal and refer the case back to the General Court;

—order the Council to bear the appellant’s costs both concerning the first instance and present appeal proceedings.

Pleas in law and main arguments

In the current appeal, the appellant relies on four main grounds of appeals:

1.The General Court disregarded the scope of its judicial review, committing several errors of law and distortions of facts.

2.The General Court erred in law in interpreting criterion (g) in the sense that by the expression ‘providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of the Russian Federation’, it is the economic sectors and not businesspersons that are referred to.

3.Infringement and misinterpretation of Article 2(1)(g) of Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP (7) as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/329 (8) as well as of Article 3(1)(g) of Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 (9) as amended by Council Regulation 2022/330 (10) — As a subordinate, plea of illegality and inapplicability under Article 277 TFEU of Article 2(1)(g) of Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/329 and of Article 3(1)(g) of Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 as amended by Council Regulation 2022/330.

4.Infringement and misinterpretation of the concept of ‘source of revenue’ and ‘substantial source of revenue’ under Article 2(1)(g) of Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP) as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/329 as well as of Article 3(1)(g) of Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014, as amended by Council Regulation 2022/330 — Distortion of facts and evidence — Breach of essential procedural requirements and of the duty to state reasons under Article 296 TFEU — Misapplication of criterion (g) to the payment of mandatory taxes.

(1) OJ 2022, L 87I, p. 44.

(2) OJ 2022, L 87I, p. 1.

(3) OJ 2022, L 239, p. 149.

(4) OJ 2022, L 239, p. 1.