Trade Sanctions – Page 15 – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 26, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Malta – five individuals and company acquitted of Libyan sanctions breaches

Further to our earlier post, a Magistrate in Malta has acquitted James Fenech, Bertrand Agius, Konrad Agius, Charles Bugeja, Michael Cauchi and the company Sovereign Charters Ltd of breaching EU sanctions against Libya.

The case related to the use of outboard motor boats to bring private military personnel out of Libya. The allegation was that the vessels were included amongst those products that could not be exported or transferred to Libya.

The court held that the particular vessels included, as identified by their 8-digit Combined Nomenclature Code, were not amongst the categories of vessels prohibited under the EU’s sanctions. Accordingly, the charges were dismissed.

The company accepted a fine of €15,000 for immigration irregularities.

October 19, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Norway – Russian arrested for flight in Norwegian airspace

The Norwegian authorities have arrested a Russian for flying a drone within Norwegian airspace in breach of the ban on Russian flights.

The man is reported to be Andrey Yakunin, the son of the former head of the Russian Railways.

October 19, 2022February 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – one arrested for suspected breach of US sanctions

The US Department of Justice has announced the multiple charges against individuals and companies relating to an attempt to export US-origin industrial equipment (a jig grinder) with military application to Russia.

The companies charged are CNC Weld (incorporated in Latvia) and BY Trade OU (incorporated in Estonia).

Stanislav Romanyuk is one the individuals. He was arrested in Estonia on 13 June 2022 for extradition to the US.

As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Latvia – see here.

October 19, 2022February 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – three arrested to face charges of breaching US sanctions

The companies charged are CNC Weld (incorporated in Latvia) and BY Trade OU (incorporated in Estonia).

Janis Uzbalis, Vadims Ananics, Eriks Mamonovs are three of the individuals. They were arrested in Latvia on 18 October 2022 for extradition to the US.

As part of the same investigation others were arrested in Estonia – see here.

October 7, 2022April 3, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – man arrested on suspicion of unlawful exports to Russia

The Dutch authorities have announced the arrest of a 55-year old on suspicion of exporting dual-use microchips to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

Searches were carried out at a number of premises.

The man is alleged to have falsified the end-user information for the exports.

October 5, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Austria – 3 individuals and 7 companies punished for non-compliance

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.

September 20, 2022March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – man charged for exports to Iran

Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming that Alexander J. has been charged with various breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Iran.

The Iranian company purchasing equipment through Alexander J. is said to be a designated person, while the products themselves are also prohibited from being exported to Iran.

The goods are said to have been for use in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and to have been valued at over €1 million.

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.

May 6, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Spain – Russian origin cargo denied port access

The Spanish maritime authorities have refused port access to the tanker Black Star alleging that it took on board Russian cargo from the Russian-flagged vessel Andrey Pervozvanniy, in a ship-to-ship transfer near Malta.