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.

Norway – man charged with breaching Iran sanctions

It has been reported today that the Norwegian authorities have charged a German-Iranian national on suspicion of breaching UN sanctions (as implemented in Norway) against Iran.

The person is a professor at a technical university and is alleged to have invited four Iranian scientists to visit a laboratory in breach of Norway’s, and then permitted them access to technical data in breach of sanctions, export control laws, and data breach legislation.

Estonia and Latvia conduct joint raids into suspected sanctions breaches

The Latvian security service, the VDD, and the Estonian Internal Security Service, have conducted joint raids in the two countries as part of ongoing criminal investigations.

The raids were on the premises of companies in Riga and Tallinn owned or controlled by designated persons under the EU sanctions.

It is reported that one of the companies raided was Baltic Media Alliance.

UK – OFSI’s third monetary penalty

OFSI has today imposed a fine of £146,341 against Telia Carrier UK Limited for breaches of the EU’s Syrian sanctions.

The breaches arose out of Telia facilitating telephone calls for SyriaTel which is a designated person under the EU sanctions. The phone connections were treated as “economic resources” for the purposes of the sanctions.

The fine in this instance was reduced from £300,000 after Telia opted to seek a ministerial review of OFSI’s penalty.

Paris court opens investigation into technology sales to Egypt

An investigation has been initiated by the Paris High Court in relation to sales of intelligence and surveillance equipment to Egypt by Nexa Technologies.

The investigation follows charges brought filed by two French activist groups – the Foundation Internationale des Ligues Droits de L’homme and the Ligue Droits de L’Homme – with the Crimes Against Humanity division of the High Court.

 

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The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and are not to be construed as legal advice.

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