The Italian Financial Intelligence Unit is investigating cash withdrawals of €4.3m by staff of the Russian embassy in Rome, including withdrawals of over €100,000.
One line of inquiry is that the withdrawals are part of a sanctions evasion scheme.
Italian authorities fine oligarch €500,000
It has been reported that Dmitry Mazepins, a designated person under the EU’s Russian sanctions has been fined €500,000 for unlawfully removing a frozen asset from Italy.
The asset in question was the yacht Aldabra which is said to have been sailed to Tunisia out of the reach of the EU’s sanctions.
Italy – investigation into possible sanctions breaches
It has been reported that the Italian parliamentary intelligence committee, known as Copasair, is investigating a number of Italian companies suspected of breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
No information has been published on the companies being investigated or the nature of the alleged offending.
Italy – sentences for arms exports to Iran and Libya
It has been reported today that a plea deal has been reached for the final two defendants in the Italian prosecution of arms exports to Libya and Iran in breach of EU sanctions and export controls.
Mario Di Leva negotiated 3 years and 8 months of imprisonment and a fine of €8000, and for Annamaria Fontana the sentence was 3 years and 6 months and a fine of €7000.
See our earlier post for the plea deal for the first defendant.
Italy – two year sentence for arms exports to Libya and Iran
As part of the ongoing prosecution of three Italian nationals for arms exports to Libya and Iran in breach of EU sanctions, it has been reported today that one of the defendants, Andrea Pardi, has pled guilty in return for a two-year custodial sentence.
The trial of the remaining defendants is due to start in June 2017.
Italy – confiscation of illegally-imported Crimean wines
The Italian Financial Police have confiscated wines imported into Italy from Crimea in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The confiscation took place at the wine fair, Vinitaly, and the wines from Crimea were part of the Russian exhibits. Agricultural products from Crimea are prohibited from import into the EU under the EU’s sanctions.
Italy – arrests for suspected arms exports to Libya and Iran
It has been reported today that the Italian authorities have arrested four individuals, including the CEO of the company Società Italiana Elicotteri.
The individuals are Andrea Pardi, as well as married couple Mario Di Leva and Annamaria Fontana and their son.
The exports are reported to have taken place between 2011 and 2015 and relate to assault rifles, helicopters and surface to air missiles.