It has been reported today that the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and the English Solicitors Regulation Authority are actively investigating a number of law firms for suspected sanctions breaches.
The law firms were not named.
Germany – police raids on bank branches in Frankfurt and Munich
Further to the ongoing German investigation into Alisher Usmanov, the German authorities have conducted searches at two branches of UBS in Frankfurt and Munich.
The authorities stated that no allegations of wrongdoing are being made against the bank or its employees.
Denmark – Crimean sanctions investigation closed
Further to our earlier post of an investigation being commenced into alleged exports to Crimea in breach of sanctions, it is now being reported that the investigation has closed with no further action taken.
The Danish Business Authority is reported to have concluded that the company Grundfos, had no reasonable grounds to suspect that its products were being shipped to Crimea.
Denmark – 12 criminal investigations for sanctions breaches opened
It is being reported that the Danish authorities have opened a number of investigations into suspected breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Police have confirmed via a Freedom of Information request that they have 12 ongoing investigations.
Separately, the Danish Business Authority has confirmed that they have opened 34 investigations since February 2022.
Of those 23 have closed without further action being taken; 3 were reported to the Police and 2 have been reported to other authorities. A total of 6 investigations remain open.
Malta – five individuals and company acquitted of Libyan sanctions breaches
Further to our earlier post, a Magistrate in Malta has acquitted James Fenech, Bertrand Agius, Konrad Agius, Charles Bugeja, Michael Cauchi and the company Sovereign Charters Ltd of breaching EU sanctions against Libya.
The case related to the use of outboard motor boats to bring private military personnel out of Libya. The allegation was that the vessels were included amongst those products that could not be exported or transferred to Libya.
The court held that the particular vessels included, as identified by their 8-digit Combined Nomenclature Code, were not amongst the categories of vessels prohibited under the EU’s sanctions. Accordingly, the charges were dismissed.
The company accepted a fine of €15,000 for immigration irregularities.
Romania – fine and confiscation overturned
The Romanian company Liberty Galati has successfully overturned an administrative fine and the confiscation of over 7.6 million lei (c. €1.5m).
The alleged breach of EU sanctions related to a shipment of iron ore pellets which left Russian on 22 February 2022, and arrived in Romania on 25 February 2022. The seller of the pellets was Metalloinvest, which is owned or controlled by Alisher Usmanov who was designated on 28 February 2022. The pellets were on-sold in Romania on 1 March 2022.
The initial fine and confiscation was based on the allegation that it was a breach of the EU’s sanctions to deal with Metalloinvest in this way. The court disagreed and held that Liberty Galati had taken title to the pellets on 22 February at a time that Metalloinvest was not subject to sanctions.
Germany – Russian national arrested for extradition to the US
The US Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York has issued a statement confirming the arrest in Germany of Yury Orekhov on suspicion of breaching US sanctions.
The US authorities are seeking the extradition of Mr Orekhov.
Norway – Russian arrested for flight in Norwegian airspace
The Norwegian authorities have arrested a Russian for flying a drone within Norwegian airspace in breach of the ban on Russian flights.
The man is reported to be Andrey Yakunin, the son of the former head of the Russian Railways.
Estonia – one arrested for suspected breach of US sanctions
The US Department of Justice has announced the multiple charges against individuals and companies relating to an attempt to export US-origin industrial equipment (a jig grinder) with military application to Russia.
The companies charged are CNC Weld (incorporated in Latvia) and BY Trade OU (incorporated in Estonia).
Stanislav Romanyuk is one the individuals. He was arrested in Estonia on 13 June 2022 for extradition to the US.
As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Latvia – see here.
Latvia – three arrested to face charges of breaching US sanctions
The US Department of Justice has announced the multiple charges against individuals and companies relating to an attempt to export US-origin industrial equipment (a jig grinder) with military application to Russia.
The companies charged are CNC Weld (incorporated in Latvia) and BY Trade OU (incorporated in Estonia).
Janis Uzbalis, Vadims Ananics, Eriks Mamonovs are three of the individuals. They were arrested in Latvia on 18 October 2022 for extradition to the US.
As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Estonia – see here.