Russia – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 19, 2026October 19, 2026 by Mark Handley

Norway – investigation into possible sanctions breaches by automotive company dismissed

Further to our earlier post, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Automotive has issued a press release stating that the investigation by Norway’s Police Security Service had been closed without any further action being taken.

The allegations had related to the company’s part being resold into Russia. The company’s press release quotes the Police Security Service as having stated:

“The case has been dismissed because no criminal offence is considered proven. This means that the result of the investigation speaks with particular strength against the fact that a criminal offence has been committed.”

The company notes that it fully cooperated with the investigation which started in June 2025 and which also involved the Directorate for Export Control and Sanctions (DEKSA) and Norwegian Customs.

October 19, 2026October 19, 2026 by Mark Handley

Sweden – extradition to face US sanctions charges completed

Further to our earlier post, a US Department of Justice press release has provided more details on the case of a Russian national being extradited from Sweden to the US to face charges of breaching US sanctions against Russia.

Alexander Suvorov has been charged with three counts related to the unlawful exporting of micro-electronic components with military applications from the United States to Russia via a front companies based in Hong Kong, including a company called GS Group Limited. The exports are alleged to have taken place between March 2022 and April 2023.

The extradition from Sweden was completed on 15 October 2026.

October 14, 2026October 14, 2026 by Mark Handley

France – French navy detains suspected false flag oil tanker in the Indian Ocean

On Monday the French Navy detained the oil tanker, the DF Peak, some 450 nautical miles south of Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

The detention was confirmed by the French President on X.

The vessel is suspected of flying a false flag, and of being involved in the “illegal transportation of fuel”.

The vessel is reported to be sanctioned by all of United States, Canada, the EU, Ukraine, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

This is the first such reported action by an EU Member State in the Indian Ocean.

October 7, 2026October 7, 2026 by Mark Handley

Germany – Public Prosecutor investigates Berlin’s “Russia House”

Further to our earlier post from 2024, it is now being reported that the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating possible breaches of the EU Russian sanctions relating to the now-closed ‘Russia House’ in Berlin which for many years had served as a cultural centre.

The Prosecutor’s Office is quoted as responding to query by stating that there are “ongoing investigations against unknown persons or tenants of the Russian House for violations of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act“.

September 29, 2026September 29, 2026 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – raids and arrests in investigation into suspected IT services and high-tech exports to Russia

The Dutch Openbaar Ministerie has issued a press release relating to raids and arrests conducted by FIOD today.

Two individuals, a 52-year old Russian and a 50-year old Dutch national were arrested and are in pre-trial detention. The Dutch company of which the Russian national is a shareholder is also listed as a suspect.

The investigation relates to the suspected provision of prohibited IT services and the suspected export of high-tech goods “that can be linked to applications for the Russian defense industry” via a third country.

The Dutch company is said to be linked to a Russian company with clientele that includes “a sanctioned Russian bank, a high-tech software company, and a manufacturer of military helicopters”.

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026 by Mark Handley

Sweden – criminal prosecution for purchasing cars from Russian embassy

It is being reported that the Swedish authorities have brought a criminal prosecution against an unnamed car dealership for purchasing three vehicles valued at SEK 415,000 (c. €37,000) from the Russian embassy.

The unnamed car dealer from the Stockholm area denies the charges.

It is alleged that the payment was made through a front company in an effort to avoid detection of the purchase from an arm of the Russian government, and that no application was made for the licence that might otherwise have permitted the transactions.

September 15, 2026September 15, 2026 by Mark Handley

Luxembourg – public prosecutors tasked with sanctions circumvention investigation at local subsidiary of Russian bank

It is being reported that Luxembourg’s Finance Ministry has tasked the public prosecutor to investigate suspected sanctions circumvention, and possible insider trading, by ex-managers of Gazprombank Luxembourg.

The bank and one of the ex-managers has denied wrongdoing.

The allegations arise out high profile reporting (behind a paywall, but also here) of a bond-trading scheme whereby cut-price Luxembourg bonds were swapped for full-priced bonds in Russia.

September 15, 2026September 15, 2026 by Mark Handley

Finland – investigation into suspected exports of nearly €6m in sanctioned goods to Russia

Finland’s Customs has issued a press release relating to the latter stages of an investigation into suspected exports to Russia of nearly €6m in “hydraulic pumps and motors as well as various valves” in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The exports were declared as destined for Kazakhstan and Türkiye, but are alleged to have been exported to Russia.

Two individuals are the suspects with the offences treated as aggravated offences. One of the suspects is also said to be the subject of four other criminal matters pending in the courts.

The press release note that the case will be forwarded to prosecutors by the end of the year.

September 9, 2026September 9, 2026 by Mark Handley

UK – HMRC issues £7.4m penalty for supply of goods to Russia

The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs has issued its largest sanctions-related Compound Penalty to date.

The company, Illumina Cambridge Limited, was fined £7,438,840.13 for breaches of the UK’s Russian sanctions.

The published Notice gives limited information on the breaches:

“Between July 2022 and January 2023 Illumina breached regulation 25(1) through their involvement in the supply of sanctioned goods from one overseas company within their corporate group to another overseas company within their corporate group for export to Russia and other destinations“.

Regulation 25(1) prohibits the direct or indirect making available of “restricted goods” or “restricted technology” either for use in Russia, or to a person connected with Russia.

Illumina Cambridge Limited voluntarily disclosed the conduct to HNRC and cooperated with the investigation.

As noted by HMRC “sanctions breaches can occur when UK businesses are involved in supply chains that result in sanctioned goods being supplied indirectly to Russia (or other countries subject to trade sanctions), even when no goods have been exported from the UK“.

This is the third large fine/forfeiture handed out by UK authorities in the last few weeks following the £4.7m fine from OFSI (2 September) and the $5.2m forfeiture from the National Crime Agency (27 August).

September 4, 2026October 18, 2026 by Mark Handley

Sweden – extradition of Russian national to the US approved to face sanctions charges

It is being reported (here, behind a paywall), that Sweden’s Supreme Court has approved an request for a Russian national to be extradited to the United States to face charges arising from the alleged export of military components to Russia via Hong Kong.