The Dutch authorities today announced that they have 45 ongoing criminal investigations into Russian sanctions breaches.
Of these 29 involve violations of import and export sanctions and 16 relate to breaches of financial sanctions.
Denmark – investigation confirmed into possible exports to Russia
It has been reported today that the Danish authorities are investigating into possible breaches of the EU’s sanctions against Russia by the insulation maker Rockwool.
The investigation was instigated after media reporting of the use of Rockwool products in Russia between 2015 and 2020.
Lithuania – investigation into breach of Belarus sanctions
The Lithuanian authorities are investigating allegations of the import of urea from the Belarus company Grodno Azot (designated under Belarus sanctions).
Searches have been conducted at a number of locations and 3000 tonnes of urea has been seized valued at several million euros.
The imports are alleged to have been conducted by two companies and involved the relabelling of the product as if it had been produced by another supplier and not Grodno Azot.
Belgium – 19 reports referred for criminal prosecution
The Belgian Minister of Finance has issued a statement regarding Belgian efforts to enforce the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
Included, is confirmation that 19 reports have been referred to the public prosecutor’s office, and that a further 15 such other such reports are being prepared.
No further information on the nature of the alleged offending was included.
Greece – Bulgarian citizen arrested for breach of US sanctions
It has been reported today that the Greek authorities have arrested a Bulgarian national for the purposes of extraditing them to the US on suspicion of breaching US sanctions against Russia.
The exports are said to have been of microchips and one tranche alone to have been valued at $1.7 million.
The name of the individual and the company he traded through have not been released.
Spain – tanker carrying Russian diesel denied port access
The Spanish port authorities have today announced that they have denied port access to a tanker – the Magellan – for allegedly carrying diesel of Russian origin.
The port authorities claim that the vessel had taken on its cargo from another vessel that had, until recently, been Russian flagged.
Germany – three companies raided
It was reported today that the German authorities have conducted raids in relation to three companies alleged to have made illegal exports to Russian in breach of EU sanctions. Private residences were also raided.
The authorities have not named the companies, but reports suggest one was Smart Impex GmbH which is alleged to have shipped goods destined for Russia via Turkey.
Finland – investigation into breach of flight ban suspended
Further to our earlier post, about an investigation into alleged breaches of the EU’s airspace ban, the Finnish Police have today announced the suspension of the investigation pending any further evidence.
The reason for the investigation was stated to be a lack of evidence as to who had committed the offences.
Germany – conviction for exporting cash to Russia
An individual has today been convicted of exporting €11,000 in physical currency from Germany to Russia in breach of Art 5(i)1 of EU Regulation 833/2014.
The individual asserted that he was carrying the currency for the purposes of receiving dental treatment in Kaliningrad.
The judgment takes the view that the exception permitting some cash to be carried “should … be interpreted narrowly”, and that the Commission’s FAQs are a means of discerning the intention of the legislator.
He was fined €4,500 and the balance of the cash above the €500 threshold was confiscated.
Finland – two convicted of breaching Russian sanctions
The press in Finland has reported the conviction of two individuals for breaching EU trade sanctions with Russia.
The first individual, a Russian national, was given a three-month suspended prison sentence for seven cross-border trips carrying cash and goods.
The second individual, a Belarusian, was given a four-month suspended sentence for attempting to export €22,000 worth of air-cooled condensers.