Military Goods – Page 3 – European Sanctions Enforcement

July 14, 2023January 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – arrest and extradition to the US for Russian sanction offences

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has issued a press release relating to charges against Vadim Konoshchenok, who was arrested in Estonia and extradited to the US.

Konoshchenok is charged with exporting US-made goods to Russia.

According to the release, Konoshchenok was arrested in Estonia in December 2022 attempting to smuggle into Russia 35 different electronic components including US-made controlled products.

Earlier efforts to export ammunition to Russia had resulted in the seizure of half a ton of material.

June 11, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Czechia – investigation into machinery exports

It has been reported today that the Czech authorities are currently investigating the activities of the Czech company Labara. It is suspected that the company has been exporting machinery which can be used for the manufacture of weaponry to Russia via Turkey.

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

April 6, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Malta – company and director acquitted of breach of Russian sanctions

It has been reported today that a prosecution in Malta for allegedly breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia has ended in acquittal.

The investigation commenced in 2019 after a bank submitted a suspicious activity report.

The transaction at the heart of the case was the export of 142 pallets of ammunition from Russia to Morocco via a Maltese company; Donna Shipping Company Limited.

The company and one of its directors, Karl David Mallia, a qualified accountant were both prosecuted, but not any of the other directors of the company.

The court held that there was insufficient evidence that Mallia had been involved in the particular transaction.

April 5, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Spain – two arrested for alleged military exports to Russia

It has been reported today that the Spanish authorities have arrested two individuals, a Russian national and a Ukrainian national, on suspicion of exporting military goods to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.

The investigation was started in 2021 nad has involved a number of raids. The goods in question were exported through third countries but destined for the Russian aeronautical sector.

February 1, 2023March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – four exporters fined over £3.5m for unlawful exports

The UK’s HMRC has today announced the imposition of compound penalties on four UK exporters. Those companies were not named.

Little information is provided but the exports were all either dual-use goods or military goods.

The compound penalties which were imposed between November and December 2022, were:

- - £745,620
  - £994,074.74
  - £1,000
  - £1,883,442.

December 9, 2022March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

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

October 10, 2022March 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

August 30, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids investigating alleged chemical exports to Russia

It has been reported today that the German authorities have conducted raids across Germany as part of investigations into alleged exports of chemicals to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.

The raids included the premises of the companies Riol Chemie GmbH and R.R. Rhein Reserve GmbH.

It is alleged that more than 30 separate exports have taken place in the last three or so years, and that the chemicals could be used to make chemical weapons including Novichok.

June 8, 2022March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.