Trade Sanctions – Page 41 – European Sanctions Enforcement

October 19, 2022February 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

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 17, 2022December 9, 2024 by Mark Handley

Denmark – investigation opened into alleged dual-use exports to Russia

It is being reported that the Danish Business Authority has commenced an investigation into alleged exports of heat exchangers for use by the Russian army and navy by the Russian subsidiary of Danish company Danfoss – called AO Ridan.

Danfoss is reported to have denied the allegations and to be cooperating with the investigation.

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.

April 29, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Italy – investigation into possible sanctions breaches

It has been reported that the Italian parliamentary intelligence committee, known as Copasair, is investigating a number of Italian companies suspected of breaching the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

No information has been published on the companies being investigated or the nature of the alleged offending.

April 20, 2022January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Greece – seizure of Russian oil tanker

It has been reported today that the Greek coastguard has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in Greek waters, as part of the enforcement of the EU’s Russian sanctions.

The tanker is named as the Pegas, although it recently changed its named to the Lana.