It is being reported in the Netherlands that the Dutch authorities are undertaking an investigation into trust companies within the BK Group for alleged breaches of the EU’s misappropriation sanctions in relation to the Ukraine.
Italy – two year sentence for arms exports to Libya and Iran
As part of the ongoing prosecution of three Italian nationals for arms exports to Libya and Iran in breach of EU sanctions, it has been reported today that one of the defendants, Andrea Pardi, has pled guilty in return for a two-year custodial sentence.
The trial of the remaining defendants is due to start in June 2017.
Netherlands – airline fined €40,000 for export of military goods
The District Court of Noord-Holland has today fined a fine of €40,000 on the Dutch airline KLM for its role in the unlicensed export of goods on the EU’s military list from the South African to Ecuador via the Netherlands.
The judgment noted that subsequent investigation had revealed 74 shipments where the required reporting had not been complied with.
Netherlands – €50,000 fine for unlicensed exports to Saudi Arabia
A District Court in the Netherlands has imposed a €50,000 fine on logistics provider for its part in the unlicensed export of military goods to Saudi Arabia.
No export licence had been applied for. The value of the contracts is stated to have been US$14 million.
Netherlands – 19 year jail term imposed on appeal
The Court of Appeal in Hertogenbosch has upheld and extended the conviction and sentence imposed on an individual for breaches of the EU’s Liberian sanctions.
Amongst other offences, the defendant had supplied arms and munitions to the government of Charles Taylor in breach of sanctions.
At first instance he had been acquitted of some charges and sentenced to 8 years in jail. Both the defendant and the public prosecutor appealed.
On appeal all charges were found proven and a sentence of 19 years was imposed.
Netherlands – Dutch National Bank’s fine of trust office upheld on appeal
The District Court of Rotterdam has dismissed an appeal by a trust office against a penalty imposed by the Dutch National Bank.
The penalty was imposed for KYC failings by the trust office specifically in the context of sanctions screening and compliance, including insufficient investigation of the origin of the assets within certain trusts.
The size of the fine is not mentioned in the appeal judgment.
Italy – confiscation of illegally-imported Crimean wines
The Italian Financial Police have confiscated wines imported into Italy from Crimea in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The confiscation took place at the wine fair, Vinitaly, and the wines from Crimea were part of the Russian exhibits. Agricultural products from Crimea are prohibited from import into the EU under the EU’s sanctions.
Netherlands – two-year sentence for breach of Al Qaida sanctions
The Court of Appeal in the Hague has upheld the conviction of a man for breaches of the EU’s Al-Qaida/ISIS and Terrorism sanctions.
The individual had transferred €17,000 to his brother who was fighting for ISIS in Syria.
The man was sentenced to 10 months in jail with a further 14 months suspended subject to a three-year probation period.
Italy – arrests for suspected arms exports to Libya and Iran
It has been reported today that the Italian authorities have arrested four individuals, including the CEO of the company Società Italiana Elicotteri.
The individuals are Andrea Pardi, as well as married couple Mario Di Leva and Annamaria Fontana and their son.
The exports are reported to have taken place between 2011 and 2015 and relate to assault rifles, helicopters and surface to air missiles.