The Council of the European Union has defended its decision to include German journalist Hüseyin Doğru on the EU sanctions list, arguing that the measure is based on established legal criteria and that affected individuals retain the right to challenge their listing before the Court of Justice of the European Union. In a written answer to a parliamentary question from Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN), the Council stated that it does not comment on specific information underlying individual listing decisions, as disclosure could undermine the effectiveness of the measures and prejudice ongoing processes.
The answer, published on 14 July 2026, responds to Droese's question about the justification for listing Doğru without a prior hearing, disclosure of evidence, or effective opportunity to defend himself. The Council emphasised that respect for fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of the press, is an integral part of the EU's approach to restrictive measures. Listings are adopted unanimously by the Council based on criteria in the applicable legal acts, and the Council reviews restrictive measures regularly to ensure they remain justified and proportionate.
The reply did not address the specific allegations against Doğru or provide details on the evidence used. The Council referred to publicly available statements of reasons, which set out the basis for individual listings to the extent possible. The answer signals that the Council prioritises the effectiveness of sanctions over procedural transparency in individual cases, while pointing to judicial review as the primary safeguard for listed individuals.
No prior coverage of this specific case exists in the available record. The answer does not contain concrete proposals or numerical targets, but reaffirms the Council's existing legal framework for sanctions listings. Institutional follow-up may include a potential challenge by Doğru before the European Court of Justice, or a review of the listing in a future Council decision. The response leaves open the question of whether the Council will provide more detailed reasoning in the future, but maintains its position that full disclosure could compromise the sanctions regime.