29.5.2015   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 132/82

(1)

On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP (1).

(2)

On 28 May 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/309/CFSP (2), extending the restrictive measures set out in Decision 2013/255/CFSP until 1 June 2015.

(3)

On the basis of a review of Decision 2013/255/CFSP, the restrictive measures should be further extended until 1 June 2016.

(4)

In view of the gravity of the situation, one person should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

(5)

One person should no longer be kept on the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

(6)

The information relating to certain persons listed in Section A of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP should be updated.

(7)

Following the judgment of the General Court of 9 July 2014 in joined cases T-329/12 and T-74/13, Mazen Al-Tabbaa v Council (3), and the judgment of the General Court of 26 February 2015 in case T-652/11, Bassam Sabbagh v Council (3), Mazen Al-Tabbaa and Bassam Sabbagh are not included on the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in Annex I to Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP.

(8)

In addition, on 12 February 2015, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2199 (2015), paragraph 17 of which prohibits the trade in Syrian cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific, and religious importance illegally removed from Syria since 15 March 2011.

(9)

Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Article 13a is replaced by the following:

‘Article 13a

It shall be prohibited to import, export, transfer or provide related brokering services for cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific and religious importance which have been illegally removed from Syria, or where reasonable suspicion exists that they have been illegally removed from Syria, on or after 15 March 2011. The prohibition shall not apply if it is shown that the cultural items are being safely returned to their legitimate owners in Syria.

The Union shall take the necessary measures in order to determine the relevant items to be covered by this Article.’

(2)

Article 34 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 34

This Decision shall apply until 1 June 2016. It shall be kept under constant review. It may be renewed, or amended as appropriate, if the Council deems that its objectives have not been met.’