Experts Express Concern Over Removal of 'Abaravan' from EU Sanctions List

The removal of 'Abaravan' from the European Union's list of sanctioned organizations has raised concerns among some experts and observers of Iranian affairs. Jason Brodsky, Senior Policy Director of the 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' group, criticized the EU's decision to remove Abaravan from its sanctions list despite the continued U.S. sanctions against the company, stating that this action weakens the 'infrastructure of sanctions' between the U.S. and Europe. In a written interview with the Persian section of Voice of America on Friday, April 5, he said that this sanctions infrastructure operates more effectively when there is coordination among these jurisdictions. According to him, the EU has not provided a reason for this decision. In this context, Saeed Ghasemi Nejad, a senior researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated in a written communication with the Persian section of Voice of America that 'media reports discuss Abaravan's complaint to the European Court of Justice and the political pressure [from this company] on European countries but do not provide more details.' Brodsky pointed out that the United States sanctioned Abaravan due to its connections with 'some of the most repressive governmental entities' in Iran, especially the Ministry of Intelligence, and the involvement of several of its managers in this ministry, stating, 'The EU has not addressed these concerns and should do so.' Ghasemi Nejad also noted the confirmation of 'Abaravan's role in internet censorship and its connection to the repressive institutions' of the Islamic Republic by the U.S. Treasury, suggesting that the removal of Abaravan from the EU sanctions list could facilitate the continuation of the company's previous activities, which have been emphasized by the Treasury. Brodsky mentioned evidence that some German companies, such as 'Softqloud GmbH,' are branches of Abaravan, raising questions about possible German involvement in this EU decision and the risks of allowing companies like Abaravan to use European territory to facilitate internet censorship in Iran. The Persian section of Voice of America has contacted the Council of Europe via email regarding the reasons and manner of Abaravan's removal from the EU sanctions list, reports of political pressure from this company on some European countries, and the negative consequences of the removal of this company from the sanctions list, and will publish the response as soon as it is received. Background: The European Union removed the name of 'Abaravan' (ArvanCloud) from its list of sanctioned individuals and entities in its annual update. The decision, published on Thursday, April 5, 2024, does not mention the reason for the removal of the Iranian company 'Abaravan' from this list. The EU had sanctioned this company on November 14, 2022, in response to the violent suppression of protests against the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini and Abaravan's role in internet censorship and preventing Iranians from accessing free internet. About seven months after this EU action, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on June 2, 2023, the sanctioning of Abaravan technology company, two of its founders, and an affiliated company for their involvement in facilitating internet censorship in Iran. According to the U.S. Treasury statement, 'Abaravan' is a key partner of the Iranian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in developing the 'National Information Network' or national internet, which is used to cut off Iranians' access to the global internet. The Treasury's statement added that 'Abaravan' plays an important role in developing the 'National Information Network' and includes activities such as participating in controlling and censoring data traffic and blocking certain websites at the request of the 'Working Group for Determining Criminal Content.' The U.S. Treasury noted that this company has close ties with the Islamic Republic's intelligence agencies, including the Ministry of Intelligence, and its current officials are current or former members of this ministry. The U.S. Special Envoy for Iran at that time also considered the sanctioning of Abaravan as part of supporting Iranians' access to free and uncensored internet, reiterating the close relationship of this company with the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence and stating that its senior managers are affiliates of the current or former members of this ministry. In September of that year, Australia and the UK also sanctioned Abaravan. The UK government, in its statement, referred to Abaravan as responsible for providing technology used in the repression of the Iranian people, adding that Abaravan is one of the key partners of the Iranian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and supports the development of the national intranet to cut off the Iranian people's connection to the global internet. Western countries, led by the United States, especially after the violent suppression of protests against the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini and the severe restrictions imposed on Iranian citizens' access to free information and internet, have repeatedly emphasized their strong support for this fundamental right of Iranian citizens and stated that individuals and entities violating it will be held accountable.