The new sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) over the imprisonment of prominent Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny are likely to take effect early next week, DW reports.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union may approve the written procedure for the adoption of the European Council decision on sanctions on March 1, and on March 2, the agreed measures will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force, dpa agency had informed Friday, citing sources in Brussels.

For the first time, a new sanction mechanism—adopted late last year—will be introduced to impose fines, which allows the EU to impose entry barriers and freeze the property of individuals who are guilty of, or have received benefits from, gross human rights violations.