Russian sanction-busting scheme uncovered in Finland
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Finnish law enforcement authorities are wrapping up an
investigation into a large-scale scheme to circumvent EU
sanctions that may have been used to supply Russia with equipment for heavy
industry, Ukrainian outlet Guild Hall reported on Sept. 15.
According to investigators, two companies in eastern Finland may have organized a channel to supply Russia with industrial products worth approximately EUR5.9 million ($6.4 million) between 2022 and 2023.
The products included high-precision hydraulic pumps, electric motors and various types of valves. EU sanctions prohibit the direct shipment of such equipment to Russia because it could be used in heavy industry and military production.
Finnish Customs determined that fake transit declarations may have been used to conceal the final recipient. The documents stated that the equipment was being shipped to customers in Kazakhstan and Türkiye. However, investigators believe Russia was the cargo’s actual destination.
According to law enforcement authorities, another Finnish company was involved in the scheme. It allegedly handled the temporary storage, reprocessing of documents and onward transportation of the sanctioned products.
Finnish Customs suspects two people of a serious violation of sanctions legislation. The case file is expected to be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office of Eastern Finland by the end of the year. Prosecutors will then decide whether to file formal charges.
One of the key suspects is already involved in four other
criminal cases related to illegal exports and the possible circumvention of EU
sanctions.
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