It has been reported that the authorities in Jersey have conducted raids as part of an investigation relating to Roman Abramovich.
As part of the investigation it is also being reported that £7 billion in assets have been frozen.
Netherlands – criminal seizure of €137 million from designated person
The Dutch authorities have announced the criminal seizure of €137 million suspected of being related to breaches of the Dutch Sanctions Act by a legal entity owned or controlled by a person recently added to the EU’s list of designated persons.
Germany – investigation into purported share transfer
The travel company Tui has confirmed that the German authorities are investigating the circumstances behind the alleged transfer of a 34% stake in the company from Alexi Mordashov, now a designated person under the EU’s Russian sanctions, to his wife.
The allegation is that the transfer would be a breach of the asset freeze imposed upon Mordashov.
Germany – investigation confirmed into engineering company’s Russian exports
The German Ministry of Economy has launched an investigation into whether engineering company Bosch has made unlawful exports to Russian in breach of EU sanctions.
Romania – commencement of investigations confirmed
It has been reported that the Romanian Tax Office (ANAF) has confirmed that it has a number of ongoing investigations into possible breaches of the EU’s Russian sanctions.
No further details were reported.
France – seizure of vessel alleged to be owned by sanctioned Russian bank
The French authorities have seized the cargo ship, Baltic Leader, claimed to be owned by sanctioned Russian bank Promsvyazbank.
The vessel was headed to Russian but seized in the channel.
Germany – charges for dual-use exports to Russia
Further to our earlier post, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming the indictment of Alexander S. on further charges relating to the export of dual-use goods to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.
The value of the exports is estimated at over €1 million.
The press release documents warning issued to Alexander S by the German authorities and his efforts to circumvent the prohibitions through falsifying documents and arranging for export from an Asian country.
Latvia – fines of €3.1m for breaches of Russian sanctions
Following raids in Riga and Tallinn by the Latvian Security Police, in close cooperation with the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS), it was reported today that two individuals have been fined by the Latvian courts for breaching the EU’s Russian sanctions.
The breaches involved making funds available, through contracts involving broadcasting, to a designated person. The individuals (Oleg Solodov and Margus Merima) were each fined €25,000, and a further €3 million was confiscated.
Netherlands – 6 month custodial sentence
The Court of Appeal in the Hague has upheld the conviction of an individual on charges of breaching the EU sanctions against terrorist organisations.
Amongst other charges the individual was charged with making a financial transfer through intermediaries in Turkey and/or Syria to ISIS.
The man was sentenced to 9 months, of which 3 was conditional.