Mark Handley – Page 15 – European Sanctions Enforcement

March 28, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – arrest and detention of journalist for alleged Russian sanctions breach

It is being reported today that a further journalist, Svetlana Burtseva, associated with the Russian media group Rossiya Segodnya has been arrested on suspicion of breaching EU sanctions.

The journalist was arrested in early March and is currently in detention.

This is a further Estonian example, see our earlier post, of a charge being brought on the basis that under EU sanctions services amount to an “economic resource” and to provide services to a designated person is to breach the asset freeze.

March 27, 2024 by Mark Handley

Poland – sanctions investigation into Belarus timber imports

It has been reported today that the Polish Interior Ministry has confirmed an investigation into the alleged importation of timber from Belarus.

The allegations include that the timber was accompanied by forged documentation purporting to show a Kazakhstan origin for the timber.

Other investigations into alleged imports of timber from Russia or Belarus in breach of EU sanctions are underway in:

- - Germany and also here;
  - Latvia; and
  - Lithuania.

March 27, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – 137 new investigations into Russian sanctions breaches commenced since September 2023

In not commenting on whether a specific investigation was or was not ongoing , the Dutch Foreign Ministry has confirmed publicly that there are currently 192 ongoing investigations into possible Russian sanctions breaches.

Further to our earlier post from September 2023 there were at that stage 55 ongoing investigations.

The new figures indicate that 137 new investigations have been commenced since September last year.

No further information has been released on the status or nature of those investigations.

March 23, 2024 by Mark Handley

Cyprus – investigation into potential attempted sanctions circumvention

It has been reported today that the Company Registrar in Cyprus, alongside the Cyprus Bar Association, are investigating an instance of possible Russian sanctions breaches.

The investigation relates to allegations that two days after additions to the OFAC SDN list a Cypriot company newly-filed documents purporting to show corporate rearrangements dating back several years which is accurate and reliable would remove the company from the impact of the US listing.

It is unclear whether the investigation relates to any breaches of the EU’s sanctions.

March 23, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – seizure of cargo of Russian timber

It is being reported that the German customs authorities have seized a cargo of Russian timber bound for the United States valued at over $40 million.

The seizure arose because the vessel carrying the timber to the United States was required to call into the port of Rostock due to technical difficulties.

The customs authorities have taken the view that this amounts to an import into the EU of sanctioned timber products from Russia. This determination is currently the subject of an appeal.

The Canadian company, Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers owns the vessel involved.

It is also being reported that 10% of the cargo is products of a company owned or controlled by a person designated under the EU’s sanctions.

March 23, 2024 by Mark Handley

Belgium – multiple raids related to Russian diamonds

On Friday the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s office announced that it conducted six raids and arrested four individuals in relation to suspected breaches of the EU’s trade sanctions relating to Russian diamonds.

It is being reported that the investigation arose after the seizure of a cargo of diamonds on February, and that a total of three shipments had been seized with a reported value of over €8 million.

March 15, 2024March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

European sanctions enforcement: the last two months

This blog has been live now for just over two months.

During that time and by way of recap, a number of states have provided updated enforcement statistics in that period (Finland, Switzerland, Latvia), but the period has also seen a significant volume of new enforcement activity:

Continue reading “European sanctions enforcement: the last two months”

March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – first enforcement of Russian car ban

In line with the parallel example from Lithuania, the Latvian authorities have imposed their first fine for breach of the ban on Russian registered vehicles.

The driver was fined €750 and the car was confiscated.

March 14, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – 7789 Russian and Belarusian sanctions breaches detected

The Director of the Customs Administration within the Latvian State Revenue Service (VID) has been reported as saying that a total of 7,789 violations of sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus were detected during 2023.

It is unclear what the Customs Administration did with these detected breaches, and whether those involved were investigated, charged or prosecuted.

We have previously reported that Latvia has, to date, commenced 310 criminal prosecutions and obtained a total of 7 convictions for sanctions offences.

March 13, 2024 by Mark Handley

Ireland – four Gardaí investigations into Russian sanctions breaches

It has been reported in Ireland that four suspected breaches of Russian sanctions have been reported to the Gardaí for investigation.

No further details on the investigations or the alleged conduct were reported.

See our earlier post for a case for criminal prosecution being referred by the Gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions.