2022 – Page 4 – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 19, 2022February 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

October 12, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – man arrested for extradition to face US sanctions charges

The UK authorities have arrested a man, Graham Bonham-Carter, as part of an extradition request from the US authorities.

The man is alleged to have conspired to breach US sanctions for and on behalf of Oleg Deripaska.

October 10, 2022March 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – confiscation of $4m as part of investigation of UN sanctions breaches

Further to our earlier post, the Latvian VDD is investigating arms sales to an unnamed African country allegedly in breach of UN sanctions.

As part of that investigation the VDD has today announced the confiscation of $4m uncovered in an offshore account.

October 7, 2022April 3, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – man arrested on suspicion of unlawful exports to Russia

The Dutch authorities have announced the arrest of a 55-year old on suspicion of exporting dual-use microchips to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

Searches were carried out at a number of premises.

The man is alleged to have falsified the end-user information for the exports.

October 5, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Austria – 3 individuals and 7 companies punished for non-compliance

It has been reported today that the Austrian State Protection Director has confirmed that three individuals and seven companies have been prosecuted for non-compliance with Russia sanctions.

No further details were provided.

September 27, 2022March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK’s OFSI imposes EU Russian sanctions civil penalty

OFSI today announced that it had imposed a civil penalty for breach of the UK’s Russian sanctions.

The penalty notice is available here.

The fine was imposed on Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition Limited (HKIWS), and was just £30,000.

The conduct in question was the receipt of funds and goods from a designated person. The goods in question were wine bottles. HKIWS was also found to have made “economic resources” available to a designated person. This was in the form of publicity, and illustrates OFSI’s wide view of what amounts to the making available of an economic resource.

September 27, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – investigation into possible sanctions offences by Petr Aven

It has been reported today that the UK’s National Crime Agency is investigating possible sanctions breaches by six companies and individuals associated with Petr Aven who is a designated person under the UK’s sanctions.

The authorities have obtained Account Freezing Orders over two accounts allegedly holding £1.5 million and these orders are being challenged by Mr Aven.

September 22, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – Munich prosecutor investigates alleged sanctions breaches

It has been reported that the Munich state prosecutor has conducted comprehensive raids at the residence of a Russian citizen and four other suspects.

The Russian national is suspected of having recruited a security firm to observe properties in Upper Bavaria financially linked to him, and that the payments made to the firm were in breach of the asset freeze imposed on this designated person.

Also being investigated are the security firm and its staff.

The designated person has been named as Alisher Usmanov but this is a different investigation to the one we have separately reported.

September 22, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids on property of designated person

The German authorities have conducted raids on properties in three states relating to an investigation into Alisher Usmanov, a designated person under the EU’s sanctions.

The investigation is said to relate to transactions conducted between 2017 and 2022.

September 20, 2022March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – man charged for exports to Iran

Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming that Alexander J. has been charged with various breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Iran.

The Iranian company purchasing equipment through Alexander J. is said to be a designated person, while the products themselves are also prohibited from being exported to Iran.

The goods are said to have been for use in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and to have been valued at over €1 million.