France – bank fined €50m for sanctions compliance failings

The ACPR in France has today announced the imposition of a fine of €50m against Banque Postale.

This is the largest fine imposed in France to date.

The fine was imposed for sanctions compliance failings and in particular the ability of designated persons to transfer funds through Banque Postale, even when not a customer, by “money order”.

Banque Postale has indicated an intention to appeal the fine.

Germany – arrest of Russian national for alleged export of military goods to Russia

The German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release regarding the arrest of an individual (Vladimir D.) on suspicion of exporting dual-use goods to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.

The goods are valued at €1.7 million and were said to have been exported in two consignments in 2014 and 2018.

As stated in the press release: “In order to circumvent the export controls, the accused is said to have carried out his transactions via changing fictitious recipients, presented false documents and carried out technical manipulations on the goods”.

Netherlands – appeal against Liberian sanctions conviction dismissed

The Dutch Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal against the 19-year sentence for (amongst other crimes) breach of the EU’s Liberian sanctions.

The appeal was largely on the grounds that the Liberian government had granted an amnesty which was said to apply. The Supreme Court disagreed, and in any event held that such an amnesty is incompatible with Dutch obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Germany – investigation into alleged export of turbines to Crimea

The Hamburg Public Prosecutor has confirmed that it is currently investigating three Russian-based employees of Siemens in relation to alleged export of turbines to Crimea in breach of EU sanctions.

Siemens has confirmed that it is cooperating with the investigation, and stated that it exported the turbines for use in Russia and not in Crimea, and that the turbines were re-exported to Crimea without its knowledge.

UK – three convicted of exporting military goods to Iran

Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court three individuals have been convicted of exporting parts for military aircraft to Iran in breach of sanctions.

Alexander George was given a custodial sentence of 2 and a half years, while Paul Attwater and Iris Attwater were sentenced to suspended sixth months in prison.

The shipments were sent in the name of a BVI company, via, Netherlands, Malaysia and Dubai, but were destined for Iran.

 

Netherlands – company convicted of breach of Russian sanctions

The District Court of Amsterdam has convicted a company on multiple charges of exporting military goods for a Russian end user. The intended Russian recipient of the exports was named as JSC Global Security, but the name of the convicted Dutch company was anonymised.

The goods  (mostly bullet proof vests and other military equipment) were stopped at Schiphol airport and had been brought from South Africa.

The company was fined €30,000 (half suspended for 2 years).

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The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and are not to be construed as legal advice.

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