EU hits Russian diamond producer Alrosa with sanctions

BRUSSELS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday announced sanctions on the leading Russian diamond-mining company Alrosa, as well as on its Chief Executive Officer Pavel Marinychev.

Alrosa is said to be the world's largest diamond producer, contributing to 90 percent of Russia's diamond output. The Council of the EU highlighted the company's significance, since Alrosa "constitutes an important