The European Union has imposed sanctions on those responsible for excluding the anti-war Yabloko party from Russia’s parliamentary election.

Ten people were added on Monday to the EU’s lengthy list of individuals and organisations hit with asset freezes and travel bans for supporting the Kremlin.

Those targeted include several judges, including three at the Supreme Court in Moscow, and an official from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The EU’s 27 member states sharply criticised the State Duma election last week, after it ended with a clear victory for the Kremlin-backed United Russia party.

The Russian authorities further intensified systematic and institutionalised repression both inside the country and beyond its borders to prevent democratic opposition forces from challenging the status quo, the bloc said.

On Monday, the EU also imposed further sanctions on those responsible for Russia’s efforts to deport and forcibly adopt Ukrainian children.

The measures target 10 people and 17 entities and organisations, according to a press conference. 

This includes Moscow’s tourism authority and two Russian companies operating in children’s recreation, tourism and entertainment.

They are involved in organising activities that contribute to the indoctrination and forced integration of Ukrainian minors into Russian identity, education and social structures, the statement said. 

(dpa/NAN)