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.
Netherlands – 3 year sentence and fine sought
It was reported today that the Dutch Public Prosecution Service is seeking the conviction of an individual, Dmitri K, for the export of microchips and drones to Russia and for falsifying export documents.
The prosecution is seeking 3 years in jail and a fine of €350,000. The man is being tried in absentia having left Holland and travelled to Russia.
Latvia – raids as part of alleged military exports to Russia
The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has announced today that on 13 and 14 October it undertook raids at five premises in Riga collecting evidence and seizing over €500,000 in cash.
The investigation relates to alleged breaches of the EU’s sanctions by supplying resources to the Russian military.
The subject(s) of the investigation were not named.
Dutch fine four companies for sanctions breaches
The Dutch authorities have today secured settlement against four companies and eight individuals for breaching the EU’s Russian sanctions concerning Crimea through involvement in the export and machinery used in the construction of the Kerch Bridge.
The eight people were sentenced to community service ranging from 20 to 60 hours while the four companies paid fines totalling €160,000, with profits of €71,000 confiscated from one of the companies.
The case was resolved without a trial. The investigation commenced in 2017 after press reporting, and initially involved investigation into the activities of seven companies.
The names of the companies have not been published.
Belgium – raids seize $1.5m in diamonds
The Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted three raids and seized $1.5m in diamonds suspected to have been the result of circumvention of the EU’s Russian sanctions.
A criminal investigation has been launched and a court-appointed expert been put in place.
Bulgaria charges five with sanctions breaches
The Bulgarian authorities have charged five individuals on suspicion of exporting military goods to Russia valued at more than €2 million in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The goods are said to be optical sights, binoculars, aeronautical radio communication systems, ballistic calculators and software.
In total 12 people were arrested, but so far only 5 have been charged.
German authorities raid properties of designated person
It has been reported today that the German authorities in Bavaria have conducted raids on multiple properties belonging to a designated person.
While the German authorities have not stated the identity of the designated person, press reporting has stated the person is Alisher Usmanov.
UK’s FCA reported to be investigating firm for sanctions breaches
It has been reported today that the FCA is currently investigating Revolut for permitting transactions valued at £1.7 million in breach of the UK’s sanctions between July and August this year.
Revolut has stated in response that it reported the transactions to the FCA and that the value is £500,000.
Finland – customs authorities investigating over 600 potential sanctions breaches
As part of the ongoing reporting of an investigation into the sale of a tugboat from Finland to Russia in breach of EU sanctions, it was reported today that the Finnish authorities are have been undertaking over 600 investigations into potential sanctions breaches since February 2022.
Sixty of these are said to be “aggravated” indicating that they are of a more serious, or high value, nature.