Australia imposes sanctions on Iran, Russia over human rights violations

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong walks outside the Grand Pacific Hotel, the venue for the Pacific Islands Forum, in Suva, Fiji July 12, 2022. REUTERS/Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's foreign minister said on Saturday the government would place targeted sanctions on Russia and Iran in response to what it called "egregious" human rights violations.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement Australia was imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions on 13 individuals and two entities, including Iran’s Morality Police and Basij Resistance Force, and six Iranians involved in the crackdown on protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody in September.