It has been reported today that the Austrian State Protection Director has confirmed that three individuals and seven companies have been prosecuted for non-compliance with Russia sanctions.
No further details were provided.
UK’s OFSI imposes EU Russian sanctions civil penalty
OFSI today announced that it had imposed a civil penalty for breach of the UK’s Russian sanctions.
The penalty notice is available here.
The fine was imposed on Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition Limited (HKIWS), and was just £30,000.
The conduct in question was the receipt of funds and goods from a designated person. The goods in question were wine bottles. HKIWS was also found to have made “economic resources” available to a designated person. This was in the form of publicity, and illustrates OFSI’s wide view of what amounts to the making available of an economic resource.
UK – investigation into possible sanctions offences by Petr Aven
It has been reported today that the UK’s National Crime Agency is investigating possible sanctions breaches by six companies and individuals associated with Petr Aven who is a designated person under the UK’s sanctions.
The authorities have obtained Account Freezing Orders over two accounts allegedly holding £1.5 million and these orders are being challenged by Mr Aven.
Germany – Munich prosecutor investigates alleged sanctions breaches
It has been reported that the Munich state prosecutor has conducted comprehensive raids at the residence of a Russian citizen and four other suspects.
The Russian national is suspected of having recruited a security firm to observe properties in Upper Bavaria financially linked to him, and that the payments made to the firm were in breach of the asset freeze imposed on this designated person.
Also being investigated are the security firm and its staff.
The designated person has been named as Alisher Usmanov but this is a different investigation to the one we have separately reported.
Germany – raids on property of designated person
The German authorities have conducted raids on properties in three states relating to an investigation into Alisher Usmanov, a designated person under the EU’s sanctions.
The investigation is said to relate to transactions conducted between 2017 and 2022.
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.
Latvia – person arrested and charged on suspicion of breaching Russian sanctions
The Latvian Intelligence Services (VDD) has announced the arrest and charge of an individual on suspicion of breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
As well as other offences, the sanctions breach is said to relate to cooperation “with a person included in the EU sanctions list”
UK – ten arrests by the National Crime Agency for sanctions evasion
It has been reported that the National Crime Agency has confirmed the arrests of 10 individuals suspected of helping designated persons evade sanctions.
The arrests are said to include lawyers, solicitors and other regulated professionals.
The same reports have noted the use of the art market as an avenue being used to evade asset freezes.
Germany – apartments belonging to designated persons seized
It has been reported that the German authorities have seized three apartments owned by designated persons under the EU’s Russian sanctions.
It is alleged that the designated persons were continuing to charge and receive rent from tenants in breach of the asset freeze imposed upon them and so are being investigated for breach of the German foreign trade law.
Denmark – investigation opened into alleged dual-use exports to Russia
It is being reported that the Danish Business Authority has commenced an investigation into alleged exports of heat exchangers for use by the Russian army and navy by the Russian subsidiary of Danish company Danfoss – called AO Ridan.
Danfoss is reported to have denied the allegations and to be cooperating with the investigation.