The Council of the European Union has finally approved a directive aimed at standardizing the rules of prosecution for violation or circumvention of sanctions in Europe for all countries of the European Union. The relevant document was published on the EU Council website on Friday, April 12.
The Directive defines which violations in the sanctions area are criminal offenses. It also defines penalties for violators, both individuals and legal entities.
According to the document, the following actions are punishable:
- trade in sanctioned goods;
- cooperation with countries and organizations against which the EU has imposed restrictive measures;
- assistance to persons under sanctions to circumvent the travel ban;
- providing financial services or carrying out financial activities that are prohibited or restricted;
- concealment of ownership of funds or economic resources by an individual, legal entity or body under EU sanctions.
Not only those who commit the above actions but also those who assist or incite them face punishment.
The EU Directive criminalizes the trade in war materials if it is committed intentionally and in cases of gross negligence.
Individuals who commit crimes in the sanctions area face a penalty of up to 5 years in prison. Provided that their actions relate to assets worth more than EUR 100 thousand.
Companies are subject to various types of penalties – monetary and non-monetary. Thus, violators may have their permits revoked, be deprived of the right to benefits, fined, or liquidated in court.
