Trade Sanctions – Page 27 – 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.

October 20, 2020March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – charges for dual-use exports to Russia

Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release confirming that charges have now been laid against two individuals – Alexander S. and Alexander O.

The allegations relate to the export of machine tool to a Russian state-owned arms company valued at €8 million between January 2016 and January 2018.

The customer is also said to be a designated person under EU regulation 269/2014.

April 25, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Malta – five charged with breaching Libyan sanctions

It has been reported today that the Maltese authorities have charged five individuals with breaching the EU sanctions against Libya.

Only one individual was named – James Fenech.

The case relates to the use of military-grade inflatable vessels allegedly used to move military personnel into, and out of, Libya.

The court has also ordered that the accounts of the companies involved be frozen.

February 26, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Dutch seizure of goods destined for North Korea

It was reported today that the Dutch port authorities in Rotterdam have seized 90,000 bottles of vodka allegedly destined for North Korea. The vessel was first to sail to China.

Such an export would be a breach of the EU’s sanctions against North Korea. The Dutch authorities have not commented on the source of the intelligence used to identify the alleged destination of the goods.

February 13, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany arrests man for Russian sanctions violation

It has been reported today that customs officials in the Bavarian city of Augsburg have today arrested Alexander S. on suspicion of exporting machinery to Russia in breach of the EU’s trade sanctions.

Premises have been raided in Bavaria, Saxony and Berlin.

The exports are alleged to have valued over €8m and to have taken place between 2016 and 2018 to military end users.

The allegations include the provision of false information to try and optain export permits.

February 7, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – €4.6m in gross profits confiscated from Iran exports

Further to our earlier post, following the successful prosecution of two companies for exports to Iran in breach of sanctions, the Dutch authorities have secured confiscation orders against the two companies for the gross profits obtained from the unlawful exports.

The confiscations were of €600,000 and €4 million respectively.

January 9, 2020January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – seven year sentence for Russian exports

The Higher Regional Court of Hamburg has today sentenced a man to seven years in jail for exports to Russian in breach of EU sanctions.

Our earlier post had outlined that the man was charged with exports of chemicals and machinery to Russia which could be used in the manufacture of military rockets. False documentation had been created in an attempt to mask the exports.

October 3, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – conviction for breaching Iran sanctions

The District Court of East Brabant in the Netherlands has convicted an individual for breaches of the EU’s Iran sanctions. The offence consisted of the export of 5 items to an Iranian person in breach of the EU regulation.

The defendant was acquitted of other charges and was fined €5,000.

August 21, 2019March 6, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – charges for exporting dual use goods to Russia

Further to our earlier post, the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued a press release stating that charges have now been laid against Vladimir D. for allegedly exporting dual use goods for military use to the Russian military.

The products are said to have been hot isostatic presses, as well as decaboranes, a chemical use in rocket fuel and explosives.

The goods are valued at €1.8m.

August 14, 2019January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Lithuania – investigation ends into possible Crimean sanctions breaches

We reported in an earlier post that the Lithuanian authorities had commenced an investigation into three companies suspected of breaching the EU’s Crimean sanctions.

The Prosecutor’s Office has today announced the conclusion of the investigation with no charges being brought.