The Italian Financial Intelligence Unit is investigating cash withdrawals of €4.3m by staff of the Russian embassy in Rome, including withdrawals of over €100,000.
One line of inquiry is that the withdrawals are part of a sanctions evasion scheme.
United Kingdom – law firm fined for sanctions controls
A law firm which self-reported itself to the legal regulator in relation to three real estate transactions has been fined £101,357 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The transactions did not actually involve sanctioned persons or entities, but screening had not been conducted at the time of the transactions and subsequently a possible link between one of the transactions and a designated person was identified.
Netherlands – authorities apply to wind up company fined for sanctions breaches
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has announced that it is using its civil powers to apply for the dissolution of a company fined for Russian sanctions breaches and the appointment of a independent liquidator to oversee the process.
For our earlier post regarding the corporate fine see here.
Cyprus – investigation into purported divestiture by designated person
Further to our earlier post about the German authorities investigating a share transfer suspected to have been carried out in breach of an asset freeze imposed on Alexei Mordashov, the Cypriot authorities have confirmed that, following a report from the German authorities, they have commenced their own investigation.
Germany – charges for exporting military and dual use goods to Russia
Further to our earlier post, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming charges against Ulli S for exports to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.
Continue reading “Germany – charges for exporting military and dual use goods to Russia”
Lithuania – investigation commenced into car exports
Following a report by the Lithuanian state-owned railway company to the Prosecutor General’s Office, an investigation has been commenced into suspected illegal exports of goods to Russia.
The railway announced the suspension of the transport of luxury cars as part of its efforts to reduce the risk of sanctions breaches.
The report to the Prosecutor was focussed on the activities of four companies and the transshipment of cars to Russia via other neighbouring countries.
Finland – authorities raid private island
It was reported today that the Finnish National Enforcement Authority, along with offices from the Eastern Finland Police Department, conducted raids on the property of Igor Kasaev, a designated person under the EU’s Russian sanctions, on the island of Kotasaari.
Netherlands – custodial sentence and corporate fine
Further to our earlier post regarding the sentence sought against Dmitri K, the sentencing has now been handed down. Dmitri was sentenced, in absentia to 18 months’ in jail, and his (unnamed) company was fined €200,000.
The sentence relates to the export of microchips to Russia, with the court finding that Dmitri K was aware that the exports were unlawful.
France – oligarch arrested on suspicion of sanctions breaches
It has been reported that the French authorities have arrested a prominent Russian oligarch on suspicion of various offences including sanctions offences.
Searches were conducted in Paris and in the south of France.
Germany – arrest and raids re export of drone parts to Russia
It was reported today that the German authorities have conducted searches at six premises and arrested a man on suspicion of illegally exporting drone parts valued at €2.1m in breach of the EU’s Russian sanctions.
The exports are alleged to have been routed through Hong Kong as a means of attempting the circumvention of the sanctions.