Lithuania detains 11 suppliers for helping Russia dodge sanctions
Sanctions against Russia (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In Lithuania, 11 individuals were detained in connection with a scheme to supply equipment to Russia despite sanctions, according to the Criminal Service of the Lithuanian Customs Department, reports Euronews.
According to the investigation, this involved a complex shadow scheme developed by a company from Kaunas. The Criminal Service of the Lithuanian Customs Department reported the detention of 11 suspects allegedly involved in supplying equipment to Russia in violation of international sanctions.
It was established that a company in Portugal was formally listed as the customer and recipient of the goods; however, the equipment was actually transported to Bulgaria, from where it was intended to be sent to Türkiye and subsequently to Russia.
The equipment in question consists of water purification units made from components produced in the EU and China. This equipment was intended for enterprises in the Russian oil industry. According to the authorities, the Kaunas-based company maintained close and ongoing business ties with companies operating in Russia and participated in projects associated with one of the fastest-growing petrochemical groups in the world.
As a result of searches at the company, several tons of equipment valued at approximately €2 million were seized. Two trucks carrying this equipment were also detained - one in Kaunas and another en route to the Lithuanian-Polish border. A third shipment was stopped in Bulgaria.
Among those detained were company executives and drivers, citizens of Moldova and Bulgaria. After questioning, all suspects were released, with two placed under a travel restriction order.
The operation was conducted in cooperation with law enforcement authorities in Portugal and Bulgaria, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol. Parallel searches were carried out in Portugal at the shell company listed as the equipment recipient, and in Bulgaria at a freight terminal where products from Kaunas were stored.
The pre-trial investigation into violations of international sanctions is ongoing under the Kaunas District Prosecutor’s Office.
It should be noted that French President Emmanuel Macron has called for strengthening sanctions against Russia if negotiations over the war in Ukraine fail.
At the same time, the US Senate is prepared to provide President Donald Trump with all the tools necessary to exert economic pressure on Russia.
