EU General Court Keeps Syrian Businessman on Sanctions List

The European Union General Court on Nov. 10 rejected Syrian businessman Waseem Alkattan's application to be dropped from the EU's Syria sanctions list, according to an unofficial translation of a judgment. The EU in two actions maintained Alkattan's listing under the Syria sanctions regime. The court said the European Council properly established that Alkattan is an influential businessman in Syria, thus warranting his placement on the list. The council cited Alkattan's business interests in real estate, luxury hotels and shopping malls and his associations with the Syrian regime, the court said.