2023 – Page 7 – European Sanctions Enforcement

July 14, 2023January 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – arrest and extradition to the US for Russian sanction offences

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has issued a press release relating to charges against Vadim Konoshchenok, who was arrested in Estonia and extradited to the US.

Konoshchenok is charged with exporting US-made goods to Russia.

According to the release, Konoshchenok was arrested in Estonia in December 2022 attempting to smuggle into Russia 35 different electronic components including US-made controlled products.

Earlier efforts to export ammunition to Russia had resulted in the seizure of half a ton of material.

July 13, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Czechia – investigation into Czech company suspected of illegal Russian exports

It has been reported that the Czech authorities are investigating the activities of Kovosvit MAS, which is suspected of shipping machinery to Russia via Turkey potentially in breach of EU sanctions.

July 4, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Switzerland – investigation into oil trading company

It has been reported that the Swiss authorities are currently investigating allegations that Paramount Energy & Commodities SA has been unlawfully trading oil of Russian origin through a Dubai-incorporated subsidiary in breach of the Swiss adoption of sanctions against Russia.

June 26, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Norway issues first fine for breaching Russian sanctions

It was reported today that the Norwegian authorities have imposed their first fine for breaches of sanctions against Russia.

The fine was NOK 50,000 being the profit from the unlawful sale of a car to a Russian customer in breach of Norway’s sanctions against the export of luxury goods.

June 26, 2023May 21, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – two arrested on suspicion of transferring funds to Hamas

The Dutch authorities have arrested two people on suspicion of transferring funds for the benefit of Hamas – an organisation designated under EU sanctions.

The transfers are alleged to have amounted to €5.5 million.

Searches were conducted in Leischendam and Rotterdam including the seizure of cash.

June 26, 2023February 13, 2024 by Mark Handley

France – some charges against Lafarge-Holcim dropped

Further to our earlier posts (here, here, and here) regarding an investigation into whether cement company Lafarge-Holcim breached EU sanctions by making payments to designated persons, it has been announced that the charges relating to financing of terrorism breaches are being discontinued.

The charges relating to crimes against humanity continue.

In October 2022 Lafarge-Holcim had plead guilty to related charges before the US Department of Justice and agreed to pay $778 million.

June 11, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Czechia – 40 ongoing investigations

It has been reported that the Czech authorities currently have approximately 40 ongoing investigations into alleged breaches of the EU’s Russian sanctions.

No further details on the nature of the alleged breaches or the progress of the investigations was published.

June 11, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Czechia – investigation into machinery exports

It has been reported today that the Czech authorities are currently investigating the activities of the Czech company Labara. It is suspected that the company has been exporting machinery which can be used for the manufacture of weaponry to Russia via Turkey.

June 1, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – arrest on suspicion of breach of Sanctions Act

The Dutch authorities have conducted searches at residential and business premises in Oegstgeest, The Hague and Haarlemmermeer and arrested a 73-year old on suspicion of breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

The man is alleged to have transferred shares in return for payment and paid €19 million in dividends to a Russian company owned or controlled by a designated person under the EU’s sanctions.

May 29, 2023March 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Lithuanian authorities commence criminal investigations into 9 companies and 95 investigations

It was reported today, that the Lithuanian State Consumer Rights Protection Authority has undertaken investigations into 95 Lithuanian companies on suspicion of importing Russian timber products in breach of current Russian and Belarusian sanctions.

The allegation is that the goods were being mislabelled as being of Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan origin.

Of those companies investigated nine have now been reported to prosecutors.