Russian sanctions target 54 Britons, including ICC's Karim Khan and UK ministers
Russia has announced further sanctions targeting 54 individuals from the United Kingdom, encompassing key figures such as International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan, who issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin in mid-March. This move comes in addition to a host of British ministers and journalists who have also been included in the sanctions, according to reports from AFP and Agerpres.
In a formal statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday, the rationale for these newly imposed sanctions was attributed to London's ongoing military support for Kiev and its "aggressive" and persistent enactment of an anti-Russian policy, particularly pronounced over the course of the past year and a half during the Ukraine conflict.
Russia's sanctions list, primarily targeting British individuals, has been expanded to encompass a total of 54 people, confirmed the ministry.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has been under Russia's scrutiny since the issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in mid-March. This arrest warrant accused Putin of war crimes relating to the alleged "illegal deportation" of numerous Ukrainian children amidst the Moscow-Kiev conflict. Notably, Moscow vehemently denies these allegations. Moreover, Khan was added to Russia's wanted list by the Russian interior ministry in mid-May.
Among the notable figures affected by the latest round of sanctions are UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Fraser, who is known for her active advocacy for Russia's isolation in international sports, and UK Deputy Defence Minister Annabel Goldie, who shoulders responsibility for arms deliveries to Ukraine, the statement outlined.
Additionally, several British journalists from renowned media outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, and Daily Telegraph have also been subjected to these sanctions. Moscow has accused them of engaging in the "propagation of false information" about Russia.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine since February 2022 has seen London emerge as a prominent supporter of Kiev, both financially and militarily. This stance, sharply criticised by Moscow, has led to strained relations between the two nations.
