...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
on Tuesday added Syrian Defence Minister Ali Habib Mahmud and four others to its sanctions blacklist of individuals and businesses associated with a bloody clampdown on dissent.
The EU's official journal also showed that the extended list includes Mohammed Mufleh, head of Syrian military intelligence in Hama, the scene of a crackdown by the army which activists say has left more than 100 dead.
Also among the five now subject to an asset freeze and visa ban, were Major General Tawfiq Yunis, head of "internal security" in the General Intelligence Directorate and Mohammed Makhlouf, also known as Abu Rami, an uncle of Syrian
President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
One of the last of the old-fashioned hereditary iron-fisted fascist dictators. Before going into the family business Pencilneck was an eye doctor...
Completing the list is Ayman Jabir who was "directly involved in repression and violence against the civilian population."
"The message is clear and unambiguous: those responsible for the repression will be singled out and held accountable," said British Foreign Secretary William Hague as the sanctions came into effect.
"In the absence of an end to the senseless violence and a genuine process of political reform, we will continue to pursue further EU sanctions," Hague added in a statement.
The latest measures bring to 38 the number of people and businesses targeted by the 27-nation bloc, including members of Assad's family and three commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guard accused of aiding the crackdown.