As a guest on the “Contact” podcast hosted by Stéphan Bureau, alongside Jacques Baud, who the Firm is representing before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), William Julié discussed the issues surrounding freedom of expression in the context of European sanctions.
Jacques Baud is subject to restrictive measures adopted by the Council of the European Union under the sanctions regime targeting destabilizing activities attributed to Russia, due in particular to his geopolitical analyses of the war in Ukraine.
During this interview, William Julié emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental principle of liberal democracies and the rule of law. Any restriction on its exercise must be provided for by law, strictly necessary, and proportionate to the objective pursued. When sanctions are based on publicly expressed positions or opinions, fundamental questions arise regarding respect for this fundamental freedom.
The program also examines the particularly severe consequences of European sanctions for those affected, especially when they reside within the European Union: exclusion from the financial system, the inability to receive income, including royalties, the risk of legal action against third parties with whom they have economic ties, as well as a ban on entry into and transit through the territory of the Union.
William Julié further emphasized that an examination of Jacques Baud’s case raises serious questions regarding the legal soundness of the evidence that led to his inclusion on the list of sanctioned individuals.
The acts of the Council of the European Union that resulted in this inclusion are currently the subject of an action for annulment filed by the Firm before the CJEU.