Executive Summary:
Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2019/87, dated January 21, 2019, amends Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria. The decision adds eleven individuals and five entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures due to their support for and benefit from the Assad regime, including through activities related to expropriated land and the Marota City development project. This decision took effect on January 21, 2019, upon its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Key Points / Main Content:
Additions to Restrictive Measures List:
* Eleven natural persons are added to Section A (Persons) of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP. These individuals are identified as leading businesspersons operating in Syria who benefit from or support the Syrian regime. Their names, identifying information, and reasons for listing are detailed in the Annex.
* Five entities are added to Section B (Entities) of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP. These entities are identified as joint ventures involved in the Marota City development, which supports and benefits the Syrian regime. Their names, addresses and reasons for listing are detailed in the Annex.
Amendment to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:
* Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as outlined in the Annex of this decision to include the listed individuals and entities.
Entry into Force:
* This decision entered into force on January 21, 2019, the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Impact Analysis:
Member States of the European Union:
Impact: Required to implement the restrictive measures against the newly listed individuals and entities.
Action Required: Update national regulations and procedures to reflect the changes and ensure compliance with the EU's restrictive measures.
Listed Individuals and Entities:
Impact: Subject to asset freezes and travel bans within the EU. Their business activities and access to resources will be restricted.
Action Required: Understand the implications of the sanctions and seek legal counsel if necessary. Ensure compliance with the restrictions.
EU Businesses and Individuals:
Impact: Prohibited from dealing with the listed individuals and entities.
Action Required: Conduct due diligence to ensure they are not conducting business with sanctioned parties.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Impact: Plays a key role in proposing amendments to the Council Decision.
Action Required: Monitor the effectiveness of the sanctions and propose further measures as needed.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: The political and economic union of European countries that is issuing the policy document.
Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP: A Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against Syria.
Syria: The country against which restrictive measures are being implemented.
Assad regime: The government in power in Syria.
Marota City: A regime-backed luxury residential and commercial development in Syria.
Damascus Cham Holding: A company involved in joint ventures for the construction of Marota City.
Aman Group: A Syrian company with interests and activities in multiple sectors of Syria's economy, involved in the development of Marota City.
Brussels: The city in Belgium where the Council Implementing Decision was adopted.
21.1.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 18 I/13
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2019/87
of 21 January 2019
implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures against Syria (1) and
in particular Article 30(1) 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.
(2) In view of the fact that prominent businessmen are making large profits through their ties with the regime and
are helping to finance the regime in return, including through the joint ventures formed by certain prominent
businessmen and entities with State-backed companies to develop expropriated land, those businessmen and
entities are supporting and benefiting from the Assad regime including through the use of expropriated property.
(3) Furthermore, the expropriation of land by the Assad regime from persons displaced by the conflict in Syria
prevents those persons from being able to return to their homes.
(4) Eleven natural persons and five entities should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies
subject to restrictive measures in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP.
(5) Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 21 January 2019.
For the Council
The President
F. MOGHERINI
(1) OJ L 147, 1.6.2013, p. 14.L 18 I/14 EN Official Journal of the European Union 21.1.2019
ANNEX
1. The following persons are added to the list set out in Section A (Persons) of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
‘264. Anas Talas Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with interests and activities in multiple
(a.k.a. ; Anas Position: Chairman of the Talas
sectors of Syria's economy. Through his
Talous/Tals/Tuls/Tlass) Group
business activities and investments, Anas
Date of birth: 25 March 1971 Talas also benefits from and/or supports
Nationality: Syrian the Syrian regime. In 2018 the Talas
Group, chaired by Anas Talas, entered into
a SYP 23 billion joint venture with
Damascus Cham Holding for the con
struction of Marota City, a regime-backed
luxury residential and commercial devel
opment.
265. Nazir Ahmad Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria 21.1.2019
JamalEddine with significant investments in the con
Position: Cofounder and majority
struction industry, including a controlling
(a.k.a. shareholder of Apex Development
90 % stake in Apex Development and Pro
; and Projects LLC and founder of
jects LLC, which has entered into a USD
Nazir Ahmad, A'ayan Company for Projects and
34,8 million joint venture for the con
Mohammed JamalEddine) Equipment
struction of Marota City, a regime-backed
Date of birth: 1962 luxury residential and commercial devel
Nationality: Syrian opment. Through his participation in the
Marota City development, Nazir Ahmad
JamalEddine benefits from and/or sup
ports the Syrian regime.
266. Mazin Al-Tarazi Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with significant investments in the con
(a.k.a. ; Position: Businessperson
struction and aviation sectors. Through
Mazen al-Tarazi)
Date of birth: September 1962 his investments and activities, Mazin
Nationality: Syrian Al-Tarazi benefits from and/or supports
the Syrian regime. In particular, Al-Tarazi
has concluded a deal with Damascus
Cham Holdings for a USD 320 million in
vestment in the construction of Marota
City, a regime-backed luxury residential
and commercial development; he has also
been granted a licence for a private airline
in Syria.
267. Samer Foz Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with interests and activities in multiple
(a.k.a. Samir ( ) Foz Position: CEO of Aman Group
sectors of Syria's economy, including a re
( )/Fawz; Samer Zuhair
Date of birth: May 1973 gime-backed joint venture involved in the
Foz)
Place of birth: Latakia, Syria development of Marota City, a luxury resi
dential and commercial development.
Nationalities: Syrian, Turkish
Samer Foz provides financial and other
support to the regime, including funding
the Military Security Shield Forces in Syria
and brokering grain deals. He also benefits
financially from access to commercial op
portunities through the wheat trade and
reconstruction projects as a result of his
links to the regime.21.1.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 18 I/15
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
Other information:
Executive President of Aman
Group. Subsidiaries: Foz for
Trading, Al-Mohaimen for
Transportation & Contracting.
Aman Group is the private sector
partner in Joint Venture Aman
Damascus JSC with Damascus
Cham Holding, in which Foz is an
individual shareholder. Emmar
Industries is a joint venture
between Aman Group and the
Hamisho Group, in which Foz has
the majority stake and is the
Chairman.
268. Khaldoun Al-Zoubi Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with interests and activities in multiple
(a.k.a. Khaldoon al-Zu'bi; Position: Vice-president of Aman
sectors of Syria's economy; including his
Khaldoun Zubi) Holding (a.k.a. Aman Group)
roles as Vice President of Aman Holding
Date of birth: 1979 and majority shareholder of Fly Aman air
Nationality: Syrian line. In this capacity, he is linked to Samer
Foz. Aman Holding is represented on the
board of, and holds a majority stake in,
‘Aman Damascus’, a joint venture in the
construction of Marota City, a regime-
backed luxury residential and commercial
development. Al-Zoubi benefits from
and/or supports the regime through his
position as Vice President of Aman Hold
ing.
269. Hussam Al-Qatirji Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
who is also a Member of Parliament for
(a.k.a. Hussam/Hossam Position: CEO of Katerji Group
Aleppo. Al-Qatirji supports and benefits
Ahmed/Mohammed/ (a.k.a. al-Qatirji Company/Qatirji
from the regime through enabling, and
Muhammad al-Katerji Company/ Khatirji Group/Katerji
profiting from, trade deals with the regime
) International Group)
in relation to oil and wheat.
Date of birth: 1982
Place of birth: Raqqa, Syria
Nationality: Syrian
270. Bashar Mohammad Assi Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with interests and activities in multiple
Position: Chairman of the Board
sectors of Syria's economy, including his
of Directors of ‘Aman Damascus’.
roles as founding partner of Fly Aman air
Founding partner of Fly Aman
line and Chairman of the Board of Dir
Limited Liability airline.
ectors of ‘Aman Damascus’; a joint venture
Date of birth: 1977 involved in the development of Marota
Nationality: Syrian City, a regime-backed luxury residential
and commercial development. Assi ben
efits from and/or supports the regime
through his position as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of ‘Aman Damascus’.L 18 I/16 EN Official Journal of the European Union 21.1.2019
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
271. Khaled al-Zubaidi Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
with significant investments in the con
(a.k.a. (Mohammed) Position: Co-owner of Zubaidi and
struction industry, including a 50 % stake
Khaled/Khalid (Bassam) Qalei LLC, Director of Agar
in Zubaidi and Qalei LLC, which is con
(al-) Zubaidi/Zubedi Investment Company, General
structing the luxury tourist city Grand
) Manager of Al Zubaidi company
Town and to which the regime has
and Al Zubaidi & Al Taweet
granted a 45-year agreement in return for
Contracting Company, Director
19-21 % of its revenue. In this capacity he
and Owner of Zubaidi
is linked to Nader Qalei. Khaled al-Zubaidi
Development Company, and
benefits from and/or supports the regime
co-owner of Enjaz Investment
through his business activities, in particu
Company.
lar through this stake in the Grand Town
Nationality: Syrian development.
272. Hayan Mohammad Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
Nazem Qaddour who holds a 67 % stake in Exceed Devel
Name: Hayan Mohammed Nazem
opment and Investment, which has en
(a.k.a. Hayyan Kaddour Qaddour
tered into a USD 17,7 million joint ven
bin Mohammed Nazem)
Position: Primary Shareholder of ture for the construction of Marota City,
Exceed Development and a regime-backed luxury residential and
Investment Company commercial development. Through his
Date of birth: 1970 participation in the Marota City develop
ment, Hayan Mohammad Nazem Qaddour
Nationality: Syrian
benefits from and/or supports the Syrian
regime.
273. Maen Rizk Allah Haykal Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019
who holds a 33 % stake in Exceed Devel
(a.k.a. Heikal Bin Position: Secondary Shareholder
opment and Investment, which has en
Rizkallah) of Exceed Development and
tered into a USD 17,7 million joint ven
Investment Company
ture for the construction of Marota City,
Nationality: Syrian a regime-backed luxury residential and
commercial development. Through the
participation in the Marota City develop
ment, Maen Rizk Allah Haykal benefits
from and/or supports the Syrian regime.
274. Nader Qalei Gender: male Leading businessperson operating in Syria, 21.1.2019’
with significant investments in the con
(a.k.a. Kalai, Kalei) Name: Nader Kalai
struction industry, including a 50 % stake
Date of birth: 9.7.1965 in Zubaidi and Qalei LLC, which is con
Place of birth: Damascus structing the luxury tourist city Grand
Town and to which the regime has
Nationality: Syrian
granted a 45-year agreement in return for
Passport number (including 19-21 % of its revenue. In this capacity,
country that issued and date and he is linked to Khaled al-Zubaidi. Nader
place of issue): Syrian Arab Qalei benefits from and/or supports the
Republic, N 010170320, issue regime through his business activities, in
number: 002-15-L062672, date particular through this stake in the Grand
of issue: 24.5.2015, date of Town development.
expiry: 23.5.2021;
ID number: Syrian Arab Republic,
010-40036453.21.1.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 18 I/17
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
Position: Majority shareholder of
Castle Investment Holding,
Co-owner of Zubaidi and Qalei
LLC, Chairman of Kalai Industries
Management
Relatives/business associates or
partners/links to listed individuals:
Khaled al-Zubaidi
Address:
Young Avenue, Halifax, Canada
2. The following entities are added to the list set out in Section B (entities) of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
‘72. Rawafed Damascus Address: Damascus, Syria Rawafed Damascus Private Joint Stock 21.1.2019
Private Joint Stock Company is a USD 48,3 million joint ven
Company ture between Damascus Cham Holdings,
Ramak Development and Humanitarian
(a.k.a.
Projects, Al-Ammar LLC, Timeet Trading
Rawafed/Rawafid/Rawafed
LLC (also referred to as Ultimate Trading
(Tributary)
Co. Ltd.), and Wings Private JSC. Rawafed
Damascus Private Joint
supports and/or benefits from the Syrian
Stock Company)
regime, including through its participation
in the regime-backed luxury development
Marota City.
73. Aman Damascus Joint Address: Damascus, Syria Aman Damascus Joint Stock Company is 21.1.2019
Stock Company a USD 18,9 million joint venture between
Damascus Cham Holdings and Aman
(a.k.a. Aman Damascus
Group. Through its participation in the re
JSC)
gime-backed luxury development Marota
City, Aman Damascus supports and/or
benefits from the Syrian regime.
74. Bunyan Damascus Private Address: Damascus, Syria Bunyan Damascus Private Joint Stock 21.1.2019
Joint Stock Company Company is a USD 34,8 million joint ven
ture between Damascus Cham Holdings
(a.k.a. Bunyan Damascus
and Apex Development and Projects LLC
Private JSC)
and Tamayoz LLC. Through its participa
tion in the regime-backed luxury develop
ment Marota City, Bunyan Damascus Pri
vate Joint Stock Company supports and/or
benefits from the Syrian regime.
75. Mirza Address: Damascus, Syria Mirza is a USD 52,7 million joint venture 21.1.2019
between Damascus Cham Holding and Ta
las Group. Through its participation in
the regime-backed luxury development
Marota City, Mirza supports and/or ben
efits from the Syrian regime.L 18 I/18 EN Official Journal of the European Union 21.1.2019
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
76. Developers Private Joint Address: Damascus, Syria Developers Private Joint Stock Company is 21.1.2019’
Stock Company a USD 17,7 million joint venture between
Damascus Cham Holdings and Exceed De
(a.k.a. Developers Private
velopment and Investment. Through its
JSC)
participation in the regime-backed luxury
development Marota City, Developers Pri
vate Joint Stock Company supports and/or
benefits from the Syrian regime.