This news release is issued in view of the situation in Nicaragua and targets individuals responsible for serious human rights violations.
Annex I to Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 has been amended with effect from 4 May 2020, following the publication of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/606.
The following entries have been added to the UK’s consolidated list and are now subject to an asset freeze.
Additions
Individuals
AVELLAN MEDAL, Ramon Antonio
DOB: 11/11/1954.
POB: Jinotepe, Nicaragua
Passport Details: A0008696. Issued: 17 October 2011. Expires: 17 October 2021.
Position: Deputy Director-General of the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP)
Other Information: Gender: male. Former chief of the police in Masaya. Responsible for coordinating the repression of protesters in Masaya in 2018.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 1383
CASTRO GONZALEZ, Sonia
DOB: 29/09/1967.
POB: Carazo, Nicaragua
Passport Details: A00001526. Issued: 19 November 2019. Expires: 19 November 2028.
National Identification no: 0422909670000N
Position: Special advisor to the President of Nicaragua on health issues
Other Information: Gender: female. Former Minister of Health. Responsible for hindering access to emergency medical assistance for injured civilians involved in demonstrations and ordering hospital staff to report demonstrators who have been brought to hospital by the police.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 13835.
DIAZ MADRIZ, Francisco Javier
DOB: 03/08/1961.
Position: General Director of the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP) since 23 August 2018
Other Information: Gender: male. Former Deputy General Director of NNP. Responsible for leading police forces committing violence against civilians, including excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and detentions and torture.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 13836.
MONCADA LAU, Nestor
DOB: 02/03/1954.
Position: Personal advisor to the President of Nicaragua on national security matters
Other Information: Gender: male. Has been directly involved in and responsible for decision-making on national security matters and the establishment of repressive policies carried out by the State of Nicaragua against people taking part in demonstrations, opposition representatives and journalists in Nicaragua from April 2018 onwards.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 13837
PASTOR URBINA, Justo
DOB: 29/01/1956.
Position: Head of Police Special Operations Unit (DOEP)
Other Information: Gender: male. Has been directly involved in the implementation of repressive policies against demonstrators and the opposition in Nicaragua, particularly in Managua.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 13839
PEREZ OLIVAS, Luis
DOB: 08/01/1956.
Position: General Commissioner and Legal Assistance Main Officer (DAEJ) in the ‘El Chipote’ penitentiary centre
Other Information: Gender: male. Responsible for torture, use of extensive force, mistreatment of detainees and other forms of degrading treatment.
Listed on: 05/05/2020 Last Updated: 05/05/2020 Group ID: 13838.
Financial institutions and other persons are required to check whether they maintain any accounts or otherwise hold funds, financial assets, economic benefits and economic resources for the designated individuals. If so, they must freeze such accounts or funds and, unless licensed by the Treasury, refrain from dealing with said funds or economic resources, and suspend the provision of any financial services. They must also report their findings to the FIU. Failure to comply with financial sanctions legislation or to seek to circumvent its provisions is a criminal offence.
Further details of the sanctions regime related to Nicaragua can be found in Sanctions Notice 51. Links to the UK’s Consolidated List of Individuals and entities subject to other financial sanctions regimes may be found on the Customs and Excise pages of the Isle of Man Government website.
