The Latvian authorities have provided a further update to their enforcement efforts. As reported:
-
- 281 sanctions-related suspicious activity reports in 2022
- 510 sanctions-related suspicious activity reports in 2023
- 310 criminal cases commenced
- 22 prosecutions in which the trial has started
- 7 convictions to date.
Of the convictions, all involved guilty pleas and all involved Latvian nationals. The highest penalty related to the export of a luxury car, and the fine was €170,000.
The conduct prosecuted included in relation to the sale of a professional footballer to a club owned by a company designated under Belarus sanctions, and the provision of content to the Russian Federal News Agency.
UPDATE: It has now (18 March 2024) been reported that the fine imposed in relation to providing economic resources to the Russian news agency in the form of employment services, was €15,500.