December 10, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing sanctions against individuals who are involved in Russia’s ongoing human rights violations since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and occupation of Crimea.

The individuals sanctioned today are involved in the systematic and widespread use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against detained Ukrainian citizens, including prisoners of war and civilians. They are officials from, and collaborators with, the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), Federal Security Service (FSB), and the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardia). Their direct involvement in the torture and death of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in multiple penal colonies, including human rights activists, is well-documented.

Canada will continue to expose and condemn human rights violations committed by Russian authorities and their local collaborators against Ukrainian citizens during Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as they continue to forcefully defend their rights and freedoms in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions.