The Dutch authorities today announced that they have 45 ongoing criminal investigations into Russian sanctions breaches.
Of these 29 involve violations of import and export sanctions and 16 relate to breaches of financial sanctions.
UK – extradition request for man withdrawn by US
Further to our earlier post, the US authorities have now withdrawn the extradition request for Graham Bonham-Carter.
He had been arrested as part of an extradition request in October 2022, but that request has now been withdrawn.
France – 17 sanctions investigations ongoing
It has been reported today that the French authorities currently have 17 ongoing sanctions investigations targeting designated persons under the EU’s Russian sanctions.
The same report noted the ongoing French efforts to freeze and seize property assets of designated persons.
Denmark – investigation confirmed into possible exports to Russia
It has been reported today that the Danish authorities are investigating into possible breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Russia by the insulation maker Rockwool.
The investigation was instigated after media reporting of the use of Rockwool products in Russia between 2015 and 2020.
Lithuania – investigation into breach of Belarus sanctions
The Lithuanian authorities are investigating allegations of the import of urea from the Belarus company Grodno Azot (designated under Belarus sanctions).
Searches have been conducted at a number of locations and 3000 tonnes of urea has been seized valued at several million euros.
The imports are alleged to have been conducted by two companies and involved the relabelling of the product as if it had been produced by another supplier and not Grodno Azot.
Belgium – 19 reports referred for criminal prosecution
The Belgian Minister of Finance has issued a statement regarding Belgian efforts to enforce the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
Included, is confirmation that 19 reports have been referred to the public prosecutor’s office, and that a further 15 such other such reports are being prepared.
No further information on the nature of the alleged offending was included.
Greece – Bulgarian citizen arrested for breach of US sanctions
It has been reported today that the Greek authorities have arrested a Bulgarian national for the purposes of extraditing them to the US on suspicion of breaching US sanctions against Russia.
The exports are said to have been of microchips and one tranche alone to have been valued at $1.7 million.
The name of the individual and the company he traded through have not been released.
Spain – tanker carrying Russian diesel denied port access
The Spanish port authorities have today announced that they have denied port access to a tanker – the Magellan – for allegedly carrying diesel of Russian origin.
The port authorities claim that the vessel had taken on its cargo from another vessel that had, until recently, been Russian flagged.
Germany – three companies raided
It was reported today that the German authorities have conducted raids in relation to three companies alleged to have made illegal exports to Russian in breach of EU sanctions. Private residences were also raided.
The authorities have not named the companies, but reports suggest one was Smart Impex GmbH which is alleged to have shipped goods destined for Russia via Turkey.
Finland – investigation into breach of flight ban suspended
Further to our earlier post, about an investigation into alleged breaches of the EU’s airspace ban, the Finnish Police have today announced the suspension of the investigation pending any further evidence.
The reason for the investigation was stated to be a lack of evidence as to who had committed the offences.