Mark Handley – Page 22 – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 13, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Dutch fine four companies for sanctions breaches

The Dutch authorities have today secured settlement against four companies and eight individuals for breaching the EU’s Russian sanctions concerning Crimea through involvement in the export and machinery used in the construction of the Kerch Bridge.

The eight people were sentenced to community service ranging from 20 to 60 hours while the four companies paid fines totalling €160,000, with profits of €71,000 confiscated from one of the companies.

The case was resolved without a trial. The investigation commenced in 2017 after press reporting, and initially involved investigation into the activities of seven companies.

The names of the companies have not been published.

October 12, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Belgium – raids seize $1.5m in diamonds

The Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted three raids and seized $1.5m in diamonds suspected to have been the result of circumvention of the EU’s Russian sanctions.

A criminal investigation has been launched and a court-appointed expert been put in place.

October 10, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Bulgaria charges five with sanctions breaches

The Bulgarian authorities have charged five individuals on suspicion of exporting military goods to Russia valued at more than €2 million in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The goods are said to be optical sights, binoculars, aeronautical radio communication systems, ballistic calculators and software.

In total 12 people were arrested, but so far only 5 have been charged.

October 6, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

German authorities raid properties of designated person

It has been reported today that the German authorities in Bavaria have conducted raids on multiple properties belonging to a designated person.

While the German authorities have not stated the identity of the designated person, press reporting has stated the person is Alisher Usmanov.

October 3, 2023March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK’s FCA reported to be investigating firm for sanctions breaches

It has been reported today that the FCA is currently investigating Revolut for permitting transactions valued at £1.7 million in breach of the UK’s sanctions between July and August this year.

Revolut has stated in response that it reported the transactions to the FCA and that the value is £500,000.

September 29, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Finland – customs authorities investigating over 600 potential sanctions breaches

As part of the ongoing reporting of an investigation into the sale of a tugboat from Finland to Russia in breach of EU sanctions, it was reported today that the Finnish authorities are have been undertaking over 600 investigations into potential sanctions breaches since February 2022.

Sixty of these are said to be “aggravated” indicating that they are of a more serious, or high value, nature.

September 26, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands announce 55 ongoing criminal investigations

The Dutch have announced that the Public Prosecution Service is currently undertaking 55 criminal investigations into suspected breaches of Russian and Belarusian sanctions.

Little information on the breaches is available, but the authorities have stated that roughly two thirds relate to breaches of trade sanctions, and one third to financial sanctions.

As of December the number was at 27, meaning 28 have been added during 2023 to date.

September 23, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

German authorities confirm Iran sanctions investigation

It has been reported today that the German authorities have confirmed the commencement of an investigation following press reporting regarding whether German companies which attended a trade fair in Iran had done so in breach of EU sanctions.

September 22, 2023February 26, 2024 by Mark Handley

Sweden – company acquitted for Russian trade sanctions offences

It has been reported in a country-specific report on Sweden by the Royal United Services Institute that the Swedish customs authorities charged and prosecuted a company for Russian trade sanctions offences, but were unable to secure a conviction.

No further details were provided.

September 18, 2023February 27, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – two prosecutions for Russian and Belarusian sanctions breaches

The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has announced that it has forwarded a case to the Prosecution Service for the initiation of criminal proceedings relating to the export of luxury goods to Russian in breach of EU sanctions.

The luxury good in question was a car.

In another announcement today, the VDD has announced the referral of another case for prosecution relating to the import of iron and steel products from Belarus in breach of EU sanctions.