Extension of freeze on the assets of 48 persons from Tunisia for one year

Background and further information:

The sanctions were first introduced in January 2011, targeting Tunisia's former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, his wife and 46 other persons. The restrictive asset-freezing measures were renewed every year since then.

The Council argues that the misappropriation of state funds has deprived the Tunisian people of the benefits of the sustainable development of their economy and society and undermining the development of democracy in the country.

The decision was published in the EU's Official Journal on the next day. It was adopted during a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

The Council of the European Union decided on 27 January 2017 to extend the freeze on the assets of 48 persons deemed to be responsible for the misappropriation of state funds in Tunisia and those associated with them.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13.02.17: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Tunisia http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/02/13-declaration-hr-tunisia/

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