The Latvian authorities have announced the prosecution of a man for the attempted export of goods to a company in Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The exports (described as “conditioning equipment”) were stopped by the Customs Service.
Latvia – conviction for imports from Belarus
The Latvian authorities have announced the conviction of a man on charges of importing goods from Belarus in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The goods in question were railway sleepers and 8kg of nails.
The fine imposed was €5,000. No custodial sentence was imposed, but the man was banned from conducting any import business from Belarus for a year.
Germany – conviction for importing timber from Myanmar referred to CJEU
A referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union has revealed a conviction in Germany arising from the importation of timber from Myanmar in breach of the EU’s sanctions.
The defendant was convicted and given a sentence of 19 months in prison and a confiscation order of €3,310,902.98 was imposed as well.
The case has been referred to the CJEU because the defendant argues that the timber in question should properly be seen as having been imported from Taiwan, and not Myanmar, because the timber had been processed in Taiwan.
Update: The CJEU case was registered on 8 February 2023.
Norway – custodial sentence for breach of Iran sanctions
Further to our earlier post, a former university professor in Norway has been convicted of breaching Norway’s Iran sanctions.
The man has been sentenced to 8 months in jail.
The conviction relates to sharing technology without a licence with Iranians.
Denmark – Crimean sanctions investigation closed
Further to our earlier post of an investigation being commenced into alleged exports to Crimea in breach of sanctions, it is now being reported that the investigation has closed with no further action taken.
The Danish Business Authority is reported to have concluded that the company Grundfos, had no reasonable grounds to suspect that its products were being shipped to Crimea.
Denmark – 12 criminal investigations for sanctions breaches opened
It is being reported that the Danish authorities have opened a number of investigations into suspected breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Russia and Belarus since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Police have confirmed via a Freedom of Information request that they have 12 ongoing investigations.
Separately, the Danish Business Authority has confirmed that they have opened 34 investigations since February 2022.
Of those 23 have closed without further action being taken; 3 were reported to the Police and 2 have been reported to other authorities. A total of 6 investigations remain open.
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.
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.
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.
Latvia – three arrested to face charges of breaching 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).
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.