EU Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Judges and Cyber Group Leader

On July 24, 2026, the European Union sanctioned five Iranian judges and Nima Salehi, the founder of the Ashiyane cyber group, for serious human rights violations and cyber suppression. The judges were implicated in harsh sentencing against political dissidents and religious minorities, particularly related to the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. Salehi's group is accused of collaborating with Iran's Cyber Police and the IRGC to conduct cyberattacks against domestic opponents and foreign entities. This action brings the total number of individuals and entities sanctioned by the EU concerning Iran to 269 and 53, respectively. The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on financial resources. EU officials emphasized their commitment to holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuses as Tehran intensifies its crackdown on dissent.

Key Points: • The EU sanctioned five Iranian judges and cyber group leader Nima Salehi for human rights violations. • Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans as part of a broader EU response to Iran's crackdown. • The Ashiyane cyber group is linked to cyberattacks against dissidents and foreign institutions.