Iran – Page 3 – European Sanctions Enforcement

September 14, 2021March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – arrest and raids over nuclear equipment exports to Iran

It has been reported today that the German authorities have conducted raids on 11 premises across Hamburg, Schleswig Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia, and that one individual (named only as Alexander J) has been arrested on suspicion of the unlawful export of machinery and equipment to Iran in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The products were alleged to have been destined for Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and to have been valued at over €1.1 million.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office press release is here.

February 7, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – €4.6m in gross profits confiscated from Iran exports

Further to our earlier post, following the successful prosecution of two companies for exports to Iran in breach of sanctions, the Dutch authorities have secured confiscation orders against the two companies for the gross profits obtained from the unlawful exports.

The confiscations were of €600,000 and €4 million respectively.

February 4, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – bank investigated for alleged Iran sanctions breaches

It has been reported that Metro Bank is being investigated in the UK for allegedly receiving funds from Iran in breach of EU sanctions.

The bank has also reported itself to the US authorities in relation to possible breaches of US sanctions against Cuba.

October 3, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – conviction for breaching Iran sanctions

The District Court of East Brabant in the Netherlands has convicted an individual for breaches of the EU’s Iran sanctions. The offence consisted of the export of 5 items to an Iranian person in breach of the EU regulation.

The defendant was acquitted of other charges and was fined €5,000.

April 9, 2019March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – FCA imposes fine of £102m

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has issued a Decision Notice against Standard Chartered Bank including a fine of £102,163,200.

The fine related to KYC failings in general, with a focus on failure to conduct customer due diligence even in situations where sanctions red flags were evident. The FCA noted a lack of financial crime risk, and concerns as to the quality of the advice being given.

A particular focus were the UAE branches of the bank, and also export financing in relation to the export of military goods.

February 18, 2019October 31, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – two companies and three individuals convicted of Iran exports

The Dutch District Court in Limburg has convicted two companies and three individuals of unlicensed exports of gas turbine machinery to Iran.

The companies were Euroturbine BV, and its Bahraini subsidiary, and they were fined €500,000 and €350,000 respectively.

The exports were routed via indirect channels to and mask the destination.

The individuals were respectively sentenced to 12 months in jail, of which 11 months were suspended and 240 hours of community service; 8 months in jail, of which 7 months were suspended and a community service of 200 hours. The third individual , a company employee, was sentenced to 180 hours of community service.

A fourth individual had earlier pled guilty and been sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

November 22, 2018July 24, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – three convicted of exporting military goods to Iran

Following a trial at Southwark Crown Court three individuals have been convicted of exporting parts for military aircraft to Iran in breach of sanctions.

Alexander George was given a custodial sentence of 2 and a half years, while Paul Attwater and Iris Attwater were sentenced to suspended sixth months in prison.

The shipments were sent in the name of a BVI company, via, Netherlands, Malaysia and Dubai, but were destined for Iran.

May 14, 2018January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – conviction for breach of Iran sanctions

The District Court in the Hague has convicted an individual for the making of unauthorised financial transfers to/from Iran in the years 2013 and 2014 of around €92,000.

The person was convicted but no sentence imposed on mental health grounds, while noting that ordinarily a conviction would result in a lengthy custodial sentence.

Various sums seized as part of the investigation were returned to the defendant as the prosecution had not proven that these sums related to particular criminal activity.

September 14, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – Iran sanctions prosecution case sent to Federal Court

A prosecution in relation to the export of valves for use in the Iranian nuclear sector which has been ongoing since 2014 has now been referred to the German Federal Court.

The prosecution of three individuals, named only as Bernd Gehrad L., René L. and Ralf C, relates to the export of 51 specialized valves to Iran between 2010 and 2011. The value of the valves was approximately €1 million.

The case has been sent to the Federal Court after a court in Berlin had ruled that the penalties being sought were unconstitutional.

September 4, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – fine and custodial sentence imposed for breach of Iran sanctions.

The District Court of East Brabant has convicted an individual for breaches of the EU’s Iran sanctions.

The defendant had traded for 2 years with a designated Iranian entity. The unspecified goods had been shipped via intermediary countries Turkey and Dubai.

He was sentenced to 16 months in jail, with a further 4 months suspended subject to a two-year probation period. He was also fined €500,000. The fine was on the individual personally and not on the company through which he traded.