Export Controls – European Sanctions Enforcement

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 by Mark Handley

Poland – two charged with sanctioned exports of dual-use goods to Russia

Poland’s ABW (Agency for Internal Security) has issued a press release related to the charging of two individuals, Eduard K. and Krzysztof J., on suspicion of exporting dual use goods to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The equipment was a CNC machine tool and a thermal chamber for metalworking. The equipment was purchased in Germany and transported to Poland before being shipped to Turkey for further export into Russia.

The goods were stopped from being exported and the two suspects have been detained since September last year.

The press release notes the availability of a sentence of not less than three years as well as confiscations.

June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 by Mark Handley

Estonia – sanctions enforcement data since January 2026 for Customs and Tax Board

Collating the outcomes published in the weekly reports by Estonia’s Tax and Customs Board (see our earlier post for the period from 14 October 2025 to 13 January 2026), reveals the following data:

18 fines
total fines of €226,669, with most being small and one of €219,210 including confiscation
13 cases referred to misdemeanour prosecution
3 cases referred to criminal prosecution, including one case that resulted in a 1 year jail term, a 3 year ban on entry to Estonia and a €3400 fine
6 cases referred for further investigation.

The weekly reports give details of many other prevented exports and imports where no further action was taken for first time offenders.

April 20, 2026April 20, 2026 by Mark Handley

Belgium – seizure of planned exports of military goods bound for Israel

The Belgian authorities have intercepted a shipment at Liège airport of 33 crates of military goods to be exported to Israel without an appropriate export licence.

The goods were transiting through Belgium having been shipped from the UK.

The goods are stated to have included: “lasers, sights, fire control systems and parts for fighter jets”.

February 6, 2026February 27, 2026 by Mark Handley

United Kingdom – company director convicted and sentenced for exports of military-grade rifle sights to Hong Kong

The UK’s HMRC has issued a press release announcing the conviction and sentencing of Steven Gates for unlicensed exports of eight military-grade rifle sights to a buyer in Hong Kong.

Customs declarations were also falsified to say the sights were camera equipment.

One export was prevented in February 2022 by Border Force staff at Manchester Airport, and another in April 2023.

Searches at his house revealed evidence of another 10 exports.

Mr Gates has been sentenced to jail for 2 years and one month.

Importantly, the press release notes that HMRC is “pursuing 51 criminal investigations in 2024/2025 compared with give in 2021/22”.

December 1, 2025 by Mark Handley

UK – compound penalty of £620,515 for unlicensed military exports

The UK’s HMRC has published a Notice to Exporters reporting on a compound penalty agreed with an unnamed UK exporter.

The penalty was £620,515.04. The conduct giving rise to the penalty is described as “unlicensed exports of military goods controlled by the Export Control Order 2008”.

No other information is provided.

November 10, 2025 by Mark Handley

France – extradition to the US to face Russian export charges

On 4 November, the US Justice Department issued a press release following the extradition from France of Yana Leonova to face charges of exports of aviation equipment to Russia in breach of US sanctions.

The press release gives little information on when she was arrested or whether the extradition was contested.

It is alleged that she falsified the final destinations for exports and used a variety of front companies in Armenia, the Maldives and elsewhere.

November 3, 2025 by Mark Handley

Germany – conviction and lengthy jail term for sanctioned exports to Russia

Further to our earlier post, it is being reported (here, here and here) that in September a court in Frankfurt convicted Alexander S. of exports of sanctioned goods to Russia.

He is reported to have been sentenced to 4 years and 11 months in jail. Both the defence and prosecution have appealed.

The conviction relates to exports of dual use maritime technology to Russia via a procurement network said to be run through the Cypriot company Mostrello.

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 by Mark Handley

Norway – investigation into alleged military technology exports to Russia

After press reporting on possible breaches of Norway’s Russian sanctions by companies in the Kongsberg Group, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that as of 25 October, it had started an investigation:

“PST has today decided to initiate an investigation of Kongsberg Discovery for violation of export control regulations. The reason for our decision is that through media coverage in recent days, information has emerged that gives PST reason to carry out further investigations“.

Kongsberg is a state-owned arms manufacturer and is reported to have stated to the press that it has followed Norway’s regulations.

The allegations are that equipment used for undersea surveillance have been sold and shipped to Russian military customers.

September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 by Mark Handley

Spain – updates on investigation into alleged exports of prohibited chemicals to Russia

Further to our earlier post from February 2025, regarding the Spanish authorities seizure of 13,000 tons of prohibited chemicals from being exported to Russia, it is now being reported by the OCCRP that the chemical in question was N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone used in a range of manufacturing.

While it is reported that the Audiencia Nacional has confirmed that as yet no one has been charged, it has been confirmed that nine individuals are currently under investigation as suspects including Maria Oleinikova and her son and daughter Vyacheslav and Irina and the German national Werner Scharlau.

Maria Oleinikova declined to comment on the story due to the ongoing proceedings.

September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 by Mark Handley

Switzerland – investigation into alleged spyware exports

As reported by GIR (behind a paywall) a decision by the Swiss Supreme Court has revealed an ongoing investigation by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General into alleged exports of spyware software to various countries in breach of Swiss export control laws.

The investigation relates to Andrea Gambazzi, and the company Thalestris Switzerland.

The judgment itself relates to whether documents seized as part of a raid by the authorities can, or cannot, be used as part of the investigation.

The investigation is reported to have been commenced in June 2024.