EU Court Orders Removal of Ex-F1 Driver Mazepin from Sanction List

The General Court of the European Union has ruled that former Formula One driver Nikita Mazepin is to be removed from the EU sanctions list. The sanctions were initially imposed in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. Mazepin, who is the son of Russian businessman Dmitry Mazepin, was sanctioned due to his family's connection to the Kremlin. Dmitry Mazepin is the owner and CEO of Uralchem, a mineral fertilizer company.

In its decision, the court determined that the 'association' criterion used to justify Nikita Mazepin's inclusion on the sanctions list was not met solely by the family relationship between him and his father. The court stated that a link beyond simple family ties is required to uphold such sanctions. This ruling means that Nikita Mazepin's presence on the list, which includes various individuals and entities targeted by the EU due to their roles in the conflict, was deemed unjustified. The EU has enforced multiple rounds of sanctions against Russian interests, including the energy sector, banks, and companies, as part of its strategy to address the situation in Ukraine.