The European Union (EU) on September 8 imposed sanctions against six Russian officials responsible for human rights abuses in Russia and in occupied Crimea.

The list includes prosecutors and judges who oversaw the court proceedings in occupied Crimea against Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko and Crimean Tatar activist Nariman Dzhelialov.

The EU Council said that Russia's judiciary is not independent and is "used to systematically and severely violate the human rights of individuals opposed to the ruling regime by violating their freedom of opinion and expression."

The latest package of sanctions also includes two officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) who tortured Yesypenko or took part in the investigation of his case, as well as those of Crimean Tatars and Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea.

The sanctions were imposed under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which already includes 67 individuals and 20 entities. The restrictive measures imposed include a travel ban and asset freeze.

The EU said that the sanctions are a way to hold those responsible for human rights abuses accountable and to send a clear message that such abuses will not be tolerated.

The sanctions are the latest in a series of measures that the EU has taken against Russia in response to its annexation of Crimea and its ongoing military aggression in eastern Ukraine.

In addition to sanctions, the EU has also provided financial and military assistance to Ukraine, and has imposed visa restrictions on Russian officials.

The EU has said that it will continue to support Ukraine and to work with its allies to hold Russia accountable for its actions. (ILKHA)