EU sanctions 22 Myanmar officials, gas company, over abuses

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is imposing sanctions on several top officials in Myanmar and on a lucrative state-owned oil and gas company that has helped fund the military that overthrew the country’s elected government a year ago. The EU on Monday imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 22 people and slapped restrictive measures on four entities, including state owned and private companies. EU headquarters says it’s “deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence in Myanmar and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications.” Widespread nonviolent protests in Myanmar followed a Feb. 1, 2021, military takeover that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. An armed resistance grew after peaceful protests were put down.