The Australian government has imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting individuals involved in supplying drones to Russia and police officials involved in the death of a human rights activist.
The federal government said it it was issuing Magnitsky-style targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on a further 14 individuals, as well as financial sanctions on 14 Iranian entities “responsible for egregious human rights abuses and violations in Iran”.
The sanctions are named after lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow jail after accusing Russian officials of tax fraud.
Mahsa Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police last September, reportedly for not wearing a hijab properly.
Three days later, she was dead, aged just 22.
Authorities later claimed she had a stroke and fell into a coma due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Amini’s family, though, have steadfastly rejected that argument, instead saying she was beaten by police.
Her death triggered protests by women throughout Iran which were met by a bloody crackdown and international condemnation.
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Sanctions have also been imposed on 13 Iranian individuals and one entity involved in the building and supply of drones to Russia.
Wong said the Iranian-made drones had been used by the Kremlin to target civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine.
“This listing demonstrates that there will be consequences for those who provide material support to Russia,” she said.
“Australia stands with the people of Iran and with the people of Ukraine.”
The announcement comes after the International Criminal Court on the weekend issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over human rights abuses in Ukraine.
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