Dual-Use Goods – Page 4 – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 19, 2022February 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – three arrested to face charges of breaching US sanctions

The US Department of Justice has announced the multiple charges against individuals and companies relating to an attempt to export US-origin industrial equipment (a jig grinder) with military application to Russia.

The companies charged are CNC Weld (incorporated in Latvia) and BY Trade OU (incorporated in Estonia).

Janis Uzbalis, Vadims Ananics, Eriks Mamonovs are three of the individuals. They were arrested in Latvia on 18 October 2022 for extradition to the US.

As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Estonia – see here.

October 7, 2022April 3, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – man arrested on suspicion of unlawful exports to Russia

The Dutch authorities have announced the arrest of a 55-year old on suspicion of exporting dual-use microchips to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

Searches were carried out at a number of premises.

The man is alleged to have falsified the end-user information for the exports.

February 22, 2022March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

January 10, 2022March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK’s HMRC imposes 10 fines for export control violations

The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs has today announced the imposition of 10 compound penalties in relation to failures to comply with the UK’s export control regulations for dual-use and military goods. The fines were imposed between March and November 2021.

HMRC’s Notice to Exporters can be found here.

In line with HMRC’s standard practice the compound penalties are anonymised and of low value, with little information made available. The information provided is supplied below.

Continue reading “UK’s HMRC imposes 10 fines for export control violations”

May 18, 2021March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – arrests for dual-use exports to Russia

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release announcing the arrest of an individual Alexander S on charges of exporting dual-use goods to military recipients in Russian in breach of EU sanctions.

Although the press release does not state as much, it is likely that this individual is the same as is already facing charges relating to earlier exports.

The arrest warrant alleges the export of dual-use high-quality machine tools to an end customer in the Russian defence sector.

November 24, 2020March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK: HMRC fines 19 companies for export controls violations

Today the UK government announced compound penalties of £700,386.01 imposed for breaches of the UK’s export controls.

The announcement from the Export Control Joint Unit provides little detail, but there were 19 settlements in all with the individual penalties ranging from £1,000 to £211,250.

The exports were of dual-use goods and military goods.

This announcement is in line with the HMRC’s policy of entering into civil settlements using its compounding powers, and with anonymised publication of the details.

November 12, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Denmark – charges for breach of Syrian sanctions

Denmark’s financial crimes unit on Wednesday announced charges against a Danish company suspected of violating EU sanctions on Syria by delivering large quantities of fuel to Russian warplanes there.

The 33 transactions, involving 172,000 tonnes of kerosene, carried out between 2015 and 2017, amounted to 647 million kroner (87 million euros, $102 million), according to the Danish State Prosecutor.

Danish media has reported the company as Dan-Bunkering. A holding company and the director of one of the companies involved are also being prosecuted.

October 20, 2020March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – charges for dual-use exports to Russia

Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming that charges have now been laid against two individuals – Alexander S. and Alexander O.

The allegations relate to the export of machine tool to a Russian state-owned arms company valued at €8 million between January 2016 and January 2018.

The customer is also said to be a designated person under EU regulation 269/2014.

February 13, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany arrests man for Russian sanctions violation

It has been reported today that customs officials in the Bavarian city of Augsburg have today arrested Alexander S. on suspicion of exporting machinery to Russia in breach of the EU’s trade sanctions.

Premises have been raided in Bavaria, Saxony and Berlin.

The exports are alleged to have valued over €8m and to have taken place between 2016 and 2018 to military end users.

The allegations include the provision of false information to try and optain export permits.

January 11, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

German prosecution for sale of dual-use goods to Russia

On Friday the trial in Germany starts of Vladimir D. who is accused of eight counts of exporting dual use goods (both chemicals and equipment) to Russia and allegedly for a military end user in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The exports are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2018.

The man was arrested in late 2018 and raids conducted in Baden-Württemberg. The value of the exports is reported to be €1.83 million.