A German businessman could violate EU sanctions against Russia/Channel 24 Collage
Germany suspects the businessman of supplying products to Russia that they can use to create chemical weapons. By such actions, he could violate the EU sanctions imposed against Moscow after the occupation of Crimea.
The trial against the businessman began on May 24. The case is heard by the Higher Regional Court of Dresden.
In Germany, a businessman is on trial for circumventing EU sanctions
According to the indictment of the Federal Prosecutor's Office, this businessman from the district of Leipzig has been since 2017 supplied firms linked to Russian intelligence services with electronics that could be used in the production of chemical weapons, the report said.
The prosecutor's office suspects that he, using a network of front companies, bypassed EU sanctions against Russia due to the occupation of Crimea.
According to the investigation, the businessman:
- sold to Russia an item that the Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Control prohibited from supplying to Moscow;
- to circumvent the ban, organized the purchase of a similar product in China and sent it to the so-called “safe” addressee;
- Delivered products to Russia 10 times without the necessary permits. These actions could violate the law on foreign economic activity.
The prosecutor's office is convinced that the defendant knew that these products are used for the production of missiles, nuclear, chemical and even biological weapons. Therefore, its supply violates the law on arms control.
It is preliminary known that at the first court hearing, the businessman convinced that he allegedly acted reasonably and in good faith, to the best of his knowledge and convictions. Specifically, he stated that:
- checked whether the export of products needed permission from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control;
- his company tried to find out from whom it received an order and whether the customer was involved in the military sphere;
- during of the German Democratic Republic was a cadet at a military school and studied chemical weapons;
- convinces that he studied only to eliminate its consequences, but not to produce it.
Latest news about the sanctions against Russia
- In April 2022, the European Union introduced the 5th package of sanctions against Russia. In particular, the country was banned from exporting semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment worth 10 billion euros.
- This ban will be felt in Russia, because the country does not produce these products on its own. According to recent studies, China will not help Russia with semiconductors, because it cannot cope with the demand itself.
- Subsequently, the European Union developed and agreed on another 6 package of sanctions on Russia. These already include an embargo on Russian oil. True, this process was blocked by the pro-Russian authorities in Hungary.
- On May 22, the European Parliament called for an oil embargo against Russia without Hungary.
- On May 24, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Mikhail Podolyak announced that the next the seventh package of sanctions will contain the blocking of Russian banks. We are talking about banks through which international trade is settled, including under oil contracts.
