Netherlands exposes network that helps to circumvent sanctions against Russia
Three people have been arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of circumventing the sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
This was reported by Eurojust, Ukrinform reported.
“Eurojust and Europol have supported a coordinated action of the Dutch, German, Latvian, Lithuanian and Canadian authorities against the alleged violation of export sanctions to Russia. During a joint action day, three suspects were arrested and 14 places searched in view of investigations into the illegal export of technological and laboratory equipment, which could be used for military purposes”, the statement reads.
The arrested persons are suspected of being part of an international smuggling network.
Investigations into the case were initiated at the end of 2023 by the Dutch authorities and led to the uncovering of a web of enterprises, which were used to circumvent the ban on exports to Russia. These enterprises were centred around a Dutch-registered trading company, which was set up in 2017 for the import, export and sales of electro-technical and laboratory equipment, among other goods.
Two of the suspects were administrators of the main trading company. The third suspect is an employee of an external contractor, who is alleged to have been aware of the violation of the export ban.
As reported, in the Netherlands, law enforcement officers detained a 55-year-old man on suspicion of supplying microchips to Russia in violation of sanctions. His bank accounts and commercial inventory were seized.