It was reported today that the Paris Court has dropped charges against Nexa Technologies, and four of its management, in relation to the sales of surveillance equipment to Egypt.
We had earlier reported on the commencement of the investigation.
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.
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.
Latvia – confiscation of $4m as part of investigation of UN sanctions breaches
Further to our earlier post, the Latvian VDD is investigating arms sales to an unnamed African country allegedly in breach of UN sanctions.
As part of that investigation the VDD has today announced the confiscation of $4m uncovered in an offshore account.
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.
Germany – man charged for exports to Iran
Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming that Alexander J. has been charged with various breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Iran.
The Iranian company purchasing equipment through Alexander J. is said to be a designated person, while the products themselves are also prohibited from being exported to Iran.
The goods are said to have been for use in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and to have been valued at over €1 million.
UK – convicted exporter to Iran ordered to pay £700,000
HMRC has announced that British national Alexander George has been ordered to pay £700,000 in a confiscation order issued by the Southwark Crown Court. The funds are the proceeds of crime related to his conviction for exporting parts for jet fighters to Iran.
For more on his conviction back in 2018 see our earlier post.
Austria – 4 convictions for exporting military goods
Included in the annual criminal prosecution statistics for Austria in 2020 is the figure that the authorities there have secured 4 convictions for breaches of section 7 the Austrian “War Materials Law”, and 9 convictions over all.
No detail is published on the nature of the offending, the identity of the offenders, or the sentences imposed.
Germany – investigation confirmed into engineering company’s Russian exports
The German Ministry of Economy has launched an investigation into whether engineering company Bosch has made unlawful exports to Russian in breach of EU sanctions.