Dual-Use Goods – Page 7 – European Sanctions Enforcement

December 1, 2023March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – HMRC imposes three compound penalties for exports

The UK’s HMRC has today announced three new compound penalties imposed on experts for unlawful exports.

The first penalty was £67,000.31 imposed for the attempted export of goods in breach of the UK’s Russian sanctions. The person or company involved was not named.

The second penalty was for £1,000 and the attempted unlicensed export of dual-use goods. Again the penalised company was not named.

The third penalty was for £9,088.99 for exporting dual-use goods without a licence. This too was anonymised.

November 13, 2023March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – charges for exporting military and dual use goods to Russia

Further to our earlier post, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming charges against Ulli S for exports to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.

Continue reading “Germany – charges for exporting military and dual use goods to Russia”

October 26, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

October 16, 2023February 27, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

August 24, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Arrest in Germany for exporting dual-use goods to Russia

It has been reported today that the German authorities have arrested a German national on suspicion of exporting dual-use goods to Russia.

The goods were being exported to a Russian arms manufacturer via either Switzerland or Lithuania, and were valued at over 2 million euros, and were being used to manufacture sniper rifles.

The suspect, named as Ulli S, was first arrested in France and then extradited to Germany under a European arrest warrant.

July 18, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – man arrested on suspicion of breaching Russian trade sanctions

The Dutch authorities have announced the arrest of a 41-year old man on suspicion of exporting microchips indirectly to Russia through third countries in circumvention of the EU’s sanctions.

The products are computer parts and were exported through third countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and the UAE.

Residential and business premises were searched in Moerdijk as part of the investigation.

May 26, 2023March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – company pleads guilty to unlawful export of chemicals

It has been announced today that a British company has pleaded guilty to one count of the attempted export of a controlled chemical which is classified as a dual use good.

The company was fined just £600 plus £2,659.5 in costs.

While HMRC did not name the company, it is being reported that the company was VWR International Limited, and that the export was bound for Pakistan.

For an earlier fine imposed on VWR see our previous post.

May 26, 2023March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – HMRC fines four companies over £1.1m for exports

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

May 22, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

February 28, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.