Austria freezes assets of 18 Ukrainians: ministry

Move against those suspected of violating human rights and of involvement in corruption

Austria has frozen assets of 18 Ukrainians suspected of violating human rights and of involvement in corruption, the foreign ministry said on Friday.

 

The ministry did not release the names of those affected.

 

Austria, which has resisted European efforts to improve transparency in the banking sector, is considered in Kiev as a financial safe haven for the oligarchs associated with deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

 

The ministry said the move was taken as a preliminary security measure until targeted sanction that the European Union agreed to slap on Ukrainians take effect.

 

The bloc on February 20 agreed to a travel ban and asset freeze on Ukrainians with "blood on their hands" amid worsening violence in Kiev, but did not name those affected and said the number would depend on developments.