Syria – Page 2 – European Sanctions Enforcement

November 12, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Denmark – charges for breach of Syrian sanctions

Denmark’s financial crimes unit on Wednesday announced charges against a Danish company suspected of violating EU sanctions on Syria by delivering large quantities of fuel to Russian warplanes there.

The 33 transactions, involving 172,000 tonnes of kerosene, carried out between 2015 and 2017, amounted to 647 million kroner (87 million euros, $102 million), according to the Danish State Prosecutor.

Danish media has reported the company as Dan-Bunkering. A holding company and the director of one of the companies involved are also being prosecuted.

September 9, 2019March 15, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – OFSI’s third monetary penalty

OFSI has today imposed a fine of £146,341 against Telia Carrier UK Limited for breaches of the EU’s Syrian sanctions.

The breaches arose out of Telia facilitating telephone calls for SyriaTel which is a designated person under the EU sanctions. The phone connections were treated as “economic resources” for the purposes of the sanctions.

The fine in this instance was reduced from £300,000 after Telia opted to seek a ministerial review of OFSI’s penalty.

August 13, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – no prosecution for alleged chemical exports

Prosecutors in Germany have concluded their investigation into allegations that chemicals had been shipped to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.

Prosecutors in Duisburg have confirmed that they do not intend to prosecute Brenntag AG over the allegations.

June 25, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – investigation commenced into chemical exports to Syria

After press reports alleging that German company Brenntag AG was involved in the indirect export of chemicals to Syria potentially in breach of the EU’s sanctions, prosecutors in Essen, where Brenntag AG is located, have confirmed that they have initiated legal proceedings and are probing whether to open a formal investigation.

Three NGOs have already filed criminal charges over the chemical exports, including the Berlin-based Syrian Archive, the Switzerland-based organization Trial International, and the New York-based Open Society Justice Initiative.

February 7, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Belgium – convictions for breaching Syrian sanctions

It was reported today that the Penal Court of Antwerp has convicted three Belgian companies and associated individuals of breaching the EU’s Syrian sanctions by exporting 168 tons of isopropranol which is a dual-use product.

AAE Chemie Trading was conditionally fined €346,443 with €50,000 effective. Anex Customs was fined €500,000 of which €100,000 is effective and Danmar Logistics were fined between €75,000 of which €50,000 is effective

Rolf Rippen, the manager of AAE Chemie Trading was sentenced to four months in jail suspended, while Herman Van Landeghem, a manager of Anex Customs and Danmar Logistics, received a 12-month custodial sentence.

June 28, 2018January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

France – Lafarge-Holcim charges brought

It has been announced that the French authorities have charged Lafarge-Holcim, its Syrian subsidiary with offences including breaching EU anti-terrorism sanctions.

The companies were also charged with crimes against humanity.

Eight individuals, including senior management, had earlier been charged (see here).

December 8, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

France – eight individuals charged in Lafarge-Holcim investigation

The French authorities have charged former Lafarge-Holcim CEOs, Eric Olsen and Bruno Lafont as well former deputy managing director Christian Herrault, along with 5 other individuals on suspicion of making payments in breach of EU sanctions to terrorist groups in Syria, and crimes against humanity.

November 14, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

France – investigators raid Lafarge-Holcim

The French authorities have conducted raids on the Paris offices of Lafarge-Holcim as part of the ongoing investigation into payments alleged to have been made in breach of the EU’s terrorist sanctions.

Lafarge-Holcim has confirmed it is cooperating with the investigation.

November 14, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

Belgium – raids on premises of holding company of Lafarge-Holcim

It was reported today that the Belgian authorities have conducted raids on the Belgian offices of GBL, a company holding a 9.4% stake in Lafarge-Holcim as part of a wider investigation into allegations that funds were made available to designated persons in breach of EU sanctions.

June 13, 2017January 10, 2024 by Mark Handley

France – investigation commenced into allegations of terrorist financing

It was reported today that the French authorities have commenced an investigation into the cement company Lafarge-Holcim with regards to payments made relating to its Syrian manufacturing operations that are alleged to be payments made to designated persons under the EU’s terrorist financing and ISIS sanctions.