The UK’s HMRC has today announced compound penalties imposed on four exporters. Two related to military goods and two to dual-use goods.
The exporters were not named.
The penalties imposed were:
-
-
- £4,100
- £2,912.16
- £217,012.50
- £920,437.20
-
Germany – four charged with software exports to Turkey
The Public Prosecutor in Munich has today announced the prosecution of four unnamed individuals in relation to the unlicensed exports of surveillance software to Turkey.
The alleged exporting company is the FinFisher Group. It is alleged that export documents were falsified to mask the destination of the goods.
The investigation has included cooperation with Sweden, Cyprus, Malaysia, Bulgaria and Romania.
Denmark – investigation confirmed into possible exports to Russia
It has been reported today that the Danish authorities are investigating into possible breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Russia by the insulation maker Rockwool.
The investigation was instigated after media reporting of the use of Rockwool products in Russia between 2015 and 2020.
UK – four exporters fined over £3.5m for unlawful exports
The UK’s HMRC has today announced the imposition of compound penalties on four UK exporters. Those companies were not named.
Little information is provided but the exports were all either dual-use goods or military goods.
The compound penalties which were imposed between November and December 2022, were:
-
-
- £745,620
- £994,074.74
- £1,000
- £1,883,442.
-
UK – twelve compound penalties announced for unlicensed exports
The UK’s HMRC has today announced penalties imposed on twelve exporters. The exporters are not named and the details of the offending are limited but the exports all related to either dual-use or military goods.
The penalties imposed were:
-
-
- £105,895.05
- £271,700.25
- £2,700
- £1,000
- £19,637.84
- £6935.44
- £9,828.83
- £19,689.20
- £56,708.71
- £2,700
- £8,664.81
- £5,300
-
Malta – five individuals and company acquitted of Libyan sanctions breaches
Further to our earlier post, a Magistrate in Malta has acquitted James Fenech, Bertrand Agius, Konrad Agius, Charles Bugeja, Michael Cauchi and the company Sovereign Charters Ltd of breaching EU sanctions against Libya.
The case related to the use of outboard motor boats to bring private military personnel out of Libya. The allegation was that the vessels were included amongst those products that could not be exported or transferred to Libya.
The court held that the particular vessels included, as identified by their 8-digit Combined Nomenclature Code, were not amongst the categories of vessels prohibited under the EU’s sanctions. Accordingly, the charges were dismissed.
The company accepted a fine of €15,000 for immigration irregularities.
Estonia – one arrested for suspected breach of 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).
Stanislav Romanyuk is one the individuals. He was arrested in Estonia on 13 June 2022 for extradition to the US.
As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Latvia – see here.
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.
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.
Denmark – investigation opened into alleged dual-use exports to Russia
It is being reported that the Danish Business Authority has commenced an investigation into alleged exports of heat exchangers for use by the Russian army and navy by the Russian subsidiary of Danish company Danfoss – called AO Ridan.
Danfoss is reported to have denied the allegations and to be cooperating with the investigation.