US extradition – European Sanctions Enforcement

August 12, 2024 by Mark Handley

Cyprus – Russian-German national extradited to the US

A press release from the United State’s Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has included details of an arrest and extradition by the Cypriot authorities in support of US charges of sanctions and export control violations.

On 26 August 223, Arthur Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in relation to:

“export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses in connection with his alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military”.

Mr Petrov operated the scheme through his Cypriot company Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD.

His extradition from Cyprus was completed and he arrived in the US on 8 August 2024.

July 23, 2024August 1, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – extradition to the US for person suspected of Iran sanctions breaches

A press release from the US Department of Justice records that an individual, Saeid Haji Agha Mousaei, was arrested in the UK on 24 January 2023 pursuant to an Interpol diffusion notice.

Mr Mousaei was then subsequently extradited to the US where he faces multiple charges arising from the alleged supply of “controlled electronics with military applications, including signals equipment like oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers, for export and re-export to Iran”.

It is alleged that false documentation was prepared which indicated that the goods were to remain in countries such as the UAE and Armenia, but the goods were all transshipped to Iran via the UAE.

June 14, 2024 by Mark Handley

Italy – arrest of individual who assisted avoidance of extradition to US

Further to our earlier post, it is being reported that the Italian authorities have today arrested a Russian national on suspicion of providing assistance to Artem Uss who fled Italy after a court had ordered his extradition to the United States to face charges relating to breaches of US sanctions against Venezuela.

The individual has been identified as Dmitry Chirakadze who was arrested at Rome’s airport.

March 29, 2024 by Mark Handley

Latvia – arrest on suspicion of breaching US sanctions

The US Department of Justice has issued a press release confirming that the Latvian authorities have arrested a 55-year old, Oleg Chistyakov.

He has been charged with multiple counts of breaching US sanctions and other offences as part of an alleged wider conspiracy with two other also-charged individuals to supply avionics materials to Russia in breach of US sanctions.

The man was arrested near Riga on 19 March pending proceedings for extradition to the United States.

December 5, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Croatia – arrest on a US warrant related to Russian sanctions breaches

The US authorities today have announced that a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been arrested in Croatia on a US arrest warrant on suspicion of obstructing justice.

The individual was named as Vladimir Jovancic. He is alleged to have assisted Artem Uss flee house arrest in Italy after an Italian court has ordered Uss to be extradited to face sanctions charges in the US.

December 3, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Spain – arrest of Spaniard on US sanctions indictment

A Spanish national, Alejandro Cao de Benos, has been arrested on an US arrest warrant on suspicion of breaching sanctions against North Korea.

It is alleged that he was providing cryptocurrency advice to North Korea to assist with circumventing US sanctions.

July 14, 2023January 19, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – arrest and extradition to the US for Russian sanction offences

The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has issued a press release relating to charges against Vadim Konoshchenok, who was arrested in Estonia and extradited to the US.

Konoshchenok is charged with exporting US-made goods to Russia.

According to the release, Konoshchenok was arrested in Estonia in December 2022 attempting to smuggle into Russia 35 different electronic components including US-made controlled products.

Earlier efforts to export ammunition to Russia had resulted in the seizure of half a ton of material.

March 3, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

UK – extradition request for man withdrawn by US

Further to our earlier post, the US authorities have now withdrawn the extradition request for Graham Bonham-Carter.

He had been arrested as part of an extradition request in October 2022, but that request has now been withdrawn.

February 15, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

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.

January 22, 2023January 11, 2024 by Mark Handley

Spain – British national arrested for US extradition

The Spanish Guardia Civil has today arrested a British national in response to an extradition request by the US authorities.

The man, Richard Masters, is alleged to have assisted in the contravention of sanctions as part of the management and operation of the yacht the M/Y Tango on behalf of sanctioned Russian Viktor Vekselberg.

The yacht has also been seized.